The Ceramic Frog

A Christmas present I won't ever forget. Phoebe (6) presented me with a huge smile and anticipated excitement as she handed over her carefully wrapped parcel.

A lot of work had obviously gone into the wrapping, as a roll of sellotape had been used to hold it all together. I unwrapped it carefully until the moment of unveiling was greeted with a spontaneous cry "It's for you dad!"

I held a ceramic frog. This was no ordinary frog. It was standing on it's head laughing! I was momentarily speechless, trying to appreciate the gift and wondering, "What I would do with a ceramic frog?"

Is this what I really wanted?

Dust off the manger scene.
A coffee table centre piece.
God's gift to us.
A Baby in a manger?

Is this what I really wanted?

I looked at the gift and then the face of Phoebe. This was her gift to me.
It wasn't just the thought that counted.
The giver of the gift were priceless.
For the next moments the giver and the gift were as one.
This was no ordinary ceramic frog.

Is it just the thought that counts?
For a few days each year we give people our best wishes.
Our "Merry Christmas's"
Gifts change hands. Some of "thought" value, some of practical use, others of monetary value and still others that become priceless.

"For God so loved the world that He gave is only son ..." John 3:16

What really is the value of this Christmas gift to us?

Is it that God is simply "Thinking" of us?
What practical use may this gift have?
What do I do with it?

I look at the gift and then into the face of God. This is his gift to me.
It's not just the thought that counts.
The giver and the gift are priceless.

The giver and the gift are one.
This was no ordinary baby in a manger.

Unwrap carefully.
You have no idea how much thought and preparation went into this gift.

Hear the cry "It's for you." See the smile.

Value the gift. This was no ordinary baby. He is priceless.

The frog still holds a place of honour on our deck. Often you will hear the comment, "Remember when Phoebe gave Dad the frog."