Jenny’s Gift

“Finally, the last present is wrapped!” Mother exclaimed as she taped the red bow to the present she had been wrapping for Grandpa.

“This one’s for Brice, here’s one for Scott, this ones for Grandma…” Ten-year-old Brenda said out loud as she re-arranged the packages in little piles, according to who they were for. “Wow, this is going to be the best Christmas ever!” Brenda excitedly exclaimed.

Four-year-old Jenny looked up from the picture she was coloring of baby Jesus in the manger. “Mommy, did you forget someone?” she asked.

Mother looked down at her long list of names. “No. Everyone’s name is crossed off,” she answered. “Thank goodness, I’ve been wrapping for weeks now!”

Brenda picked up a childishly wrapped present. “It says, ‘From: Jenny,’ but who’s it to?” she asked.

Jenny smiled proudly, “Daddy helped me wrap all my presents, but that one. I wrapped it all by myself.”

“I can tell,” Brenda drawled.

Jenny’s face turned red at her sister’s sarcasm. “I know how to write my name, but I didn’t know how to write His!” she whispered.

Mother gave Brenda the “that wasn’t very nice” look, before putting her hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “Whose name sweetie?” she asked.

Jenny pointed to the picture she was coloring.

“Jesus?”

Jenny nodded her head and then looked over at Brenda, “It is His birthday, you know!”

Brenda jumped up from where she was sitting and gave her little sister a big hug. “Oh, Jenny. I’m so sorry I hurt your feelings,” she apologized. “Of course, it’s His birthday! And you’re the only one sweet enough to remember to give Him a present.”

Jenny smiled. “There’s really nothing in the box. It’s in here,” she whispered while pointing to her heart.
“But the present will help me remember what I’m giving Him!”

by Margie Nauta Lee