Christmas

Using the Christmas analogy has caused me to revisit my feelings on the holiday (I know it's August, but whatever).
When I was little, I used to really look forward to Christmas, like any kid. I would lie awake at night, full of excitement at the prospect of getting this or that. I would crawl among the presents with my siblings, counting the gifts for me and trying to guess what was in them. Then one year, I decided the excitement was painful - that I couldn't stand the agony of waiting. I decided to try to forget Christmas was coming. In later years, this feeling grew to a hatred of the entire season because it seemed pointless. What changed?
I began to realize the opening of the presents was always a let-down because it never satisfied my expectations. I didn't feel fulfilled when I received because the present wasn't what I wanted or it didn't make my life that much better. I didn't feel fulfilled when I gave because I didn't feel the gift was appreciated. Either I gave something the person didn't really like, or they liked it but it was just one special thing among many. I tried to get into the "joy of the season" and appreciate Christ's birth, but just couldn't. I couldn't get past the useless materialism.
God's gifts aren't like Christmas. When He gives me something, it won't be a let-down. It will be better than my wildest hopes and will fulfill me. I don't have to have reservations about waiting for them with excitement. I don't have to talk myself out of hope so I won't be disappointed. I won't be disappointed.
And when I give God's gifts, I can know that I'm giving someone the perfect gift - His life. That's even better than receiving it!