The sky is still dark, nothing stirring in the house but me. Upstairs in our little loft area, the lights of the small Christmas tree and the sounds of a Christmas movie quietly playing in the background enhance the feeling of Christmas morning anticipation.

Over the course of the last ten years, I’ve turned from a night owl to an early bird, but I love the same things about both times of day. I’m up every day, working or not, before six in the morning. I’ve been waking that early for so long, I’ve grown to look forward to the solace of the early morning hours. For me, it has become a time of reflection, a time of awakening, a time of fellowship with my Father in Heaven.

This morning, as the rest of the house is in quiet slumber, I am pondering the many gifts and blessings I’ve been given in my life. I have been blessed with so much over the last year, I find it difficult to wrap my mind around it all. As with everything in life, the blessings have come in tandem with challenges. Where there are incredible blessings, there will always be the adversary attempting to keep us from receiving and enjoying them.

As difficult as it can be, it is so important to constantly work on adjusting our focus away from our earthly struggle to our divine purpose. With the birth of Christ, God took on the same limitations we all experience. As usual, I found great wisdom in the message of my pastor this last Sunday. He gave the analogy of a world class sprinter being paired with a less than stellar runner in a three-legged race.

Much like the sprinter, when Jesus took on the limitations of humanity, He didn’t cease to be God. He did, however, have to adjust His sails to move within the confines of human nature and physicality. Just as the sprinter wouldn’t cease being exceptionally fast on their feet, but would have to adjust their skill to work with the person they’ve been tethered to in order to be successful.

I’ve been blessed with a truly amazing man as my husband, one who stands up to the example set by my earthly father. I’ve been blessed with an irreplaceable sister I will love beyond all of my days here in this world. I’ve been blessed with a beautiful church family, and even more blessed to sing with the most amazing group of altos thus far in my life (which is truly saying something). I’ve been blessed with a best friend who is smart and funny and kind, and who is always able to remind me of what’s important in life. I’ve been blessed to be a dog mom at heart, which is a constant source of joy and comfort. The list is endless…my family, friends, experiences, and love of the Lord, all threads in the tapestry of my life.

None of these things can be placed under a tree, but all of them are absolutely priceless. As you spend time with those you love today, exchanging worldly gifts, please take a moment to think about the gifts you’ve been given that don’t sit under a tree or come tied up with a pretty red bow. Take a moment to remember the greatest give we’ve all been given…a loving Savior who was willing to take on our limitations in order to take us home.