Big
Things Come in Small Packages
by Dawn Kinzer
As a little girl, I learned one Christmas that
special things don’t always come in big packages. Like the Christ child, they
can arrive in what may at first look small and plain.
Relatives gathered to celebrate Christmas at my aunt and uncle’s large
Wisconsin farmhouse. Later in the day, while the adults sat back and enjoyed
their coffee, thirteen children were called together to play “Bingo." We
were shown a display of prizes wrapped in boxes of various sizes. Sensitive to
feelings, my aunt made sure there were enough for each child to win one.
Younger than most of my cousins, and quiet by nature, I was still just as
excited as the rest about the prospect of being able to choose from the pile of
colorful packages.
But as we played, one child after another won the game before I managed to get
my circular pieces in the required straight line. Packages were eliminated from
the pile, and as the supply dwindled, my heart began to sink as the larger
boxes disappeared.
It seemed to take forever, but I finally shouted, “Bingo!”
It was my turn to pick from the remaining few packages. I tried to guess what
could be hidden inside each one. I made my decision and reached for a large
gift, wrapped in bright red paper. There had to be something wonderful inside.
“Big things come in small packages,” my aunt whispered in my ear. She pointed
to a gift, barely noticeable, wrapped in plain white tissue paper.
I trusted her and picked the smaller gift. I carefully unfolded the delicate
tissue and discovered the silver ring hidden inside. The setting held a round,
cut piece of glass that reflected all the colors of the rainbow. The ring had
to be inexpensive, but to me it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. In
my eyes and heart, I held a treasure in the palm of my hand.
In our pursuit for what we think may be better, it’s so easy to overlook
anything that might appear insignificant. But what are we missing? What are the
blessings, or everyday gifts, that we take for granted?
I don’t ever want to lose appreciation for a cool breeze blowing through the
window on a hot afternoon, a comfortable bed after a tiring day, or a beautiful
sunrise reminding me of God’s presence.
Wonderful, exciting, beautiful . . . and even life-changing things can be found
in small packages. After all . . . didn’t the greatest gift bestowed upon us
come in the gift of a small baby by the name of Jesus? And He gave the biggest
gift of all. He gave us the gift of eternal life.
This Christmas, may you find great blessings in the small things.
Dawn Kinzer is a writer and freelance editor. Her writing
has been published in the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Backyard
Friends, and The One Year Life Verse Devotional, and featured on the
radio ministry, The Heartbeat of the Home.
To learn more about Dawn and her work, please visit:
Labels: Big Things Come in Small Packages, Dawn Kinzer, Dora Hiers, inspirational romance, Journey's Edge, Journey's End, Seriously Write, White Rose Publishing
