Written by Anna Magallanes, Director of Development 

Merry Christmas from Brazosport Christian School 

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, at least that’s what we hear if we are listening to Christmas carols in December.  Most of us (Including myself) are hustling and bustling, trying to get items for events, trying to get Christmas shopping in, and then they throw a loop on us that there may be a shortage of gifts this year….Wait What??!!  Work can be intense as you’re trying to finish things by the end of the year deadlines, how in the world is it the “most wonderful time of the year”?

I personally have been so blessed to have been able to surround myself with a phenomenal support group on all things work related and personal, and am very much encouraged to take a step back and enjoy the stillness, the quiet, the sabbath.  While in these quiet times, I am able to allow myself some of the truly amazing parts of this season that do make December “the most wonderful time of the year”.  The thoughtfulness of handmade or perfectly shopped for gifts for those special people in our lives, the parties where we all gather and spend our precious time together, the extra time off of work that seems to be the most special of times off, and the music….it’s just all so happy, so perfect.

I have not allowed myself to enjoy receiving gifts in so long, mostly because the focus of giving for the season was on my children, and I went without and thought nothing of it.  I relish in the excitement of my children opening their gifts on Christmas morning. It brings me such joy to see their happiness and know that the past few days they were anticipating this very moment and that their expectations were met.  In my book there is absolutely nothing more joyful than this feeling in my heart at this very moment while I’m relaxed in my pajamas and enjoying coffee watching them open gifts.  I know I’m not the only person who feels this happiness, for in Proverbs 11:25 it says “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed”.  Jesus teaches us the happiness that is in giving and knows that it refreshes our soul.  I very much look forward to this same moment in time again this year as I anticipate my children’s excitement.

This year has been a little bit different though, I have shopped for my kids with great anticipation for watching them open their gifts, but I too have been receiving gifts daily at work by a secret gifter from our awesome PTF!  It was truly unexpected, and each day has been filled with a little bit of joy as I anticipate what my next gift will be!!  I’ve gotten snacks, Christmas decor, a beautiful necklace, and so many other wonderful things!!  I felt a little bit like a kid on Christmas morning as the gifts were chosen just for me, and my secret gifter had been great at keeping their identity a secret!  It reminds me so much of how this is truly a wonderful time of year…..there aren’t any other month’s that we get this special attention, these special gifts from friends and loved ones.  It seems to last and last….and yet also goes by so fast.

As I have learned to sit back and relish in receiving gifts this year, I’m reminded of the greatest gift of all.  Ephesians 2:8 states “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”.  A true selfless gift that was made just for me, to save me from my own sins.  How can I accept this gift, how am I worthy of such a wonderfully perfect gift?  It’s explained to us in Matthew 18:3-4 “And he said ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”  Those sweet little happy faces that I anticipate seeing every Christmas morning are what we are supposed to be doing too!

That joy, that happiness, that simple little act of believing and the anticipation of the most wonderful things from God! Our Lord and Savior knew we would struggle with this simple act, and he died so that we may be forgiven.  Forgiven of every sin that we have ever done.  When I think back on my lifetime, that’s huge.  And all he wants from us is to come to him like little children, eager to see him, smiling, and just knowing with all of our hearts that he is the best gift of all.  I have truly enjoyed my secret gifter this year, as it reminded me of being childlike and how simple happiness can be if we let it in.  I am very much looking forward to my children’s Christmas morning happiness again this year and this time relishing that God too is watching me and my happiness in that moment with the same anticipation and joy.  It’s truly “the most wonderful time of the year” as we are reminded of God’s gift to us.

Take the time this year to enjoy the little things, be childlike in your anticipation of gifts, and remember Jesus’ love is your gift, selected just for you!!!!  This time of year is a reminder of that gift and time to relish in it.  Merry Christmas from the entire BCS staff, we look forward to seeing you again in January.

*** Update***. My secret gifter shared her identity with me on the 12th day of my 12 days of gifts.  Mrs. Menard, thank you for making my December special!