For me and my brother it was a Christmas morning and we were so excited because we had asked for a puppy. The tradition at our house was that Dad and Mom would put us to bed then Santa would come and deliver the presents. My brother and I just knew that a puppy would be delivered. We got up early and went and got Dad and Mom out of bed and down the stairs we went to the front room where the Christmas tree with the presents was located. We found our presents and opened them. My brother and I were happy because we received many toys that we wanted and even a few clothes that we appreciated, but no puppy. As I remember both of us tried to contain our disappointment, but I am sure our parents noticed. Then I can’t remember the exact circumstances, but somehow Mom diverted our attention and Dad went and got another box and brought it in and told us that we had forgotten to open one present. It was a box and then we noticed that the box moved and then some noise came from the box. I remember we ran to the box and lifted it up and underneath the box was a fox/rat terrier puppy that we named Boots.
2,000 years ago, or so God gave us a gift and I want to spend the rest of our time this morning talking about that gift.