The Best Handmade Gift

I love the Christmas season! I think it’s the overall atmosphere that it creates within me. But this is also a kind of sad time for me as well. I remember, and miss, many people who were part of my life who have now passed on and are no longer with us. And that makes me sad, but I also know that this is part of life.

And while I may miss certain people, they left a legacy here that lives on within me, and now my kids in some part. My great-grandmother, both grandmothers, and my mother all crocheted. They worked and weaved strands of yarn into beautiful afghans, baby sweaters, hats and booties, doilies, pillow case trim, scarves, and many other things.

Weaving a legacy can be done in many different ways. The afghans are a nice reminder of days gone by which keep us warm when we are cold. But those crocheted items won’t get us into heaven no matter how beautiful they are, how difficult the pattern, or how much love went into making them. The only thing that will get us into heaven is a relationship with Jesus.

As I reflect on what the season means, I am overwhelmed with emotion as I realize the magnitude of what God went through in sending Jesus to be born for me! For you! Do you actually know that Jesus was born FOR us? He was!

There has been born FOR you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ~Luke 2:11 (emphasis added)

What a tremendous act of love on our heavenly Daddy’s part to send the perfect sacrifice for us, knowing that all the sacrifices in the world would never be enough to make us right with Him. So He sent His own! God gave us a legacy. He sent us Jesus.

Not only that, but He knits as well! He knit us each one together as we were being formed in our mothers’ wombs. But He also continues to knit us together as we journey through life! He places people in our path for reasons, seasons, and lifetimes who will spur us on, encourage us, love us, and be there with us throughout our journey and into the next.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. ~Psalm 139:13-14, NKJV

But the greatest gift of all, by far, is Jesus. He is knit into our very being not only as our sacrifice, but as our Counselor, our Advocate, our Confidant, our Brother, our Master, our King, and our LORD! HE is the very Reason we celebrate Christmas. HE is the very breath I take every minute of every day. HE is the reason I live.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20, NKJV

I am so glad that God knit me together with Christ! I am so glad that that we were woven into His story. It takes my breath away every time I think about it. Whenever I think about what He has done for me, not only when He saved me, but years later when He reached down and healed me… I can hardly take it all in. It overwhelms me greatly.

I truly hope that this Christmas season, whether you crochet or not, that you realize how fearfully and wonderfully you were made. That you realize what a Gift you have been given by the Master Knitter! We may be able to knit or crochet beautiful things. But God knit the MOST Beautiful One of ALL!

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.