The gift was right there on the table. Deirdre couldn’t help seeing it each time she made her way to the kitchen. The gift was wrapped in shiny gold paper, tied with a red satin ribbon and topped with a tiny glass angel.
“When are you going to open your gift?” Her sister, Skye asked.
“I just don’t think I’m ready to start accepting gifts from Phillip.”
“You see him everyday. Would it be polite to refuse a gift, it is Christmas after all? It looks like an amazing gift.”
“I don’t personally know him very well. I think he may be a little more interested in me, than I am in him. I wouldn’t want to give him the wrong idea.”
Deirdre picked up the gift, she heard a musical sound coming from beneath the wrapping. She quickly placed it under the twinkling Christmas tree, still not sure if it was a gift she wanted to accept.
“I’m just not ready to open it, I don’t know if I’ll ever open it.” She told her sister.
“How can you turn down such a great gift?”
“Skye, give it a rest! You don’t even know what’s in that package!”
Deirdre stopped on her way to work and picked up donuts for everyone at the office. As she walked in the office door she saw Phillip cast a look her way. She wanted to avoid him today, at all costs.
“Hi, Deirdre, the coffee just finished, I hope that is what it looks like!” Said Tammy, raising her eyebrows and taking a closer look.
“Hot coffee sounds good right now, it is so cold out there.”
They sat in chairs around Tammy’s desk, drinking coffee and enjoying the freshly baked donuts. The typical office gossip began. It wasn’t long before the attention turned to Deirdre, their curiosity was getting the best of them.
“Deirdre, did you open the gift?” Asked Kari.
“Tell us! What was in it?” Said Melinda.
“Tammy! You weren’t supposed to tell anyone.” Said Deirdre.
Rolling her eyes, Tammy told her, “I don’t know what the big deal is. If you ask me you’re just over reacting Deirdre. It’s just a little ole gift. If you don’t want it, don’t accept it”
“Enough already! He might over hear us talking. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I do know I don’t want to be rude. You guys need to just go to work, you’re no help at all.” Deirdre said, annoyed with them as she walked away to refill her coffee.
There was Phillip, coffee pot in hand. “Ready for a refill?” He smiled.
She took a deep breath, trying to think of something to say, as she held her cup out. “Thanks, I’m still trying to warm up, it’s a chilly morning.” She mumbled.
“You know, Deirdre, I just happened to see a little something, I thought you might enjoy. It’s no secret, I would like to get to know you better. But there is no hidden meaning behind the gift.” “Thanks Phillip, it’s under the tree at home, waiting until Christmas morning.”
Deirdre couldn’t wait for the day to end, they were closing the office early for Christmas Eve. At precisely three, she rushed out the office door. I hope Skye isn’t home, she thought. I don’t want anyone making a big deal out of this.
Sliding the key in the lock and opening wreath adorned door, the house seemed quiet, turning on the gas logs, she stood in front of the fireplace, rubbing her hands together while trying to stop shivering.
There it sat, under the tree. Deirdre looked at the gift with apprehension, all she had to do was open it. She slowly knelt down next to the tree, and began carefully removing the red satin ribbon and the shiny gold paper. She looked at the small glass angel, the way it sparkled in the fire light. Then she picked up the white box, still hesitating.
“Oh! Deirdre you’re opening the gift! What is it? Let me see!” Said Skye
Deirdre quickly looked behind her. “I didn’t think you were home, you gave me a fright. I don’t know what’s in it yet, I haven’t finished opening it.” She snapped.
Skye knelt down beside Deirdre, she took the box and gently helped open it. There it was, at last revealed, a Snow Globe. Inside the globe was a little Country Church, with a manger scene sitting in front of the snow covered church.”
“Look, Deirdre, you can wind it up, remember the music we heard.”
Deirdre, wound it up, turn it gently upside down and back up again. A tune began playing, as the sparkling snow fell on the little Country Church. The sisters sat enchanted, turning the globe, and watching it over and over, as the light from the fire danced around the room.
“Wow! Said Deirdre, it‘s really beautiful. Look at the way the star on top of the church lights up! Oh! Look, there’s an angel! If you watch carefully, her wings flutter ever so softly. I can’t believe how wonderful it is. And to think, it took me so long to make the decision to accept it.”
You know Deirdre, this is the way I felt when I accepted God’s gift of salvation. I kept trying to ignore His gift. When I finally opened the door of my heart, He stepped in and His gift changed my life. He put a song in my heart. He adds newness to my life each day. I can’t believe I almost turned down His amazing gift. His Son.
“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16
