The 25th Gift

On a cold November night, shortly after the Thanksgiving rush, Jake and his wife Michelle prepare the Christmas season. Exhausted but enthusiastic for the upcoming month of festivities, Jake awakes in the middle of the night after dreaming of twenty-five gifts. In his dream, he opens the first twenty-four but the twenty-fifth remains wrapped before he wakes. Startled and curious, Jake embarks on a Christmas journey to discover the meaning of the 25th gift and, ultimately, the true meaning of Christmas. What he learns changes not only his perspective on Christmas, but influences an entire community for the better."Sometimes all it takes is a prayer. A pensive reflection that drops us to our knees with folded arms and lowered head. And in this moment, when words transcend the peripheries of earth to reach the open ears of heaven, something changes. Something so subtle, yet immensely profound, like the degree of a compass that will redirect our lives into an eternity of previously unforeseen possibilities. On a wintry night, many years ago, I made such a prayer. I admit, the prayer was a selfish one. Guilt-driven, I guess you could say. I had a penchant, as I suppose many do, for the worldly side of Christmas. The holiday music, the festivals, the overtly lavish meals. Yes, even the shopping. It all sang songs of giddiness into my childish heart. I loved it. But somewhere inside of me I felt that there was something I could do to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. And this is where my story begins."