“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

When I try to recall store-bought gifts I have received, I cannot pinpoint any one present I unwrapped that has special meaning for me today. However, I can recall the memories that have come with unique gifts that money cannot buy.

A recent birthday gift from my sister has special meaning and brought back memories. First, the gift came from the heart, and second, it is a reminder of my maternal grandmother and her gifts. The gift, an African violet, now rests on my kitchen table where I can see it each time I sit down to eat. What makes this gift so special?

When my grandmother passed away in 1973, my mother kept some of the prized plants for which she was known. I can remember the beautiful plants that lined my grandmother’s windowsill and decorated other areas of her house.

The plant that my sister gave to me last month has been propagated from one of my grandmother’s original African violets. For over 30 years, my mother, and now, my sister, has kept my grandmother’s legacy alive through this beautiful plant.

Another special birthday gift came unexpectedly from a new friend. Although the coffee mug was not a family heirloom, it brought tears to my eyes as I realized its significance. First, the giver of the gift had parted with a piece of her own history, an object that had belonged to her grandmother. Second, the simple white mug was a carbon copy of one that my own father preferred to use when he drank his morning coffee.

After my father passed away last year, my sister and I sorted through his household belongings. I didn’t keep many of my father’s things. I am trying to simplify my life by not hanging onto material possessions. However, when I saw the heavy white mug in its simplicity, I knew without a doubt that it was given in love. It now has a place of honor on my kitchen cabinet where I can see it each time I fill one of my own mugs with hot tea. It is not only a reminder of my father but of the giver of the gift.

With the kick-off of the holiday season, I was once again reminded of how crazy our world has become. Recent headlines about Black Friday grabbed my attention. Although I am not against saving money when shopping, the lengths to which people go to purchase a gift for a loved one always amaze me. Horrified, I read the story about a store employee trampled to death by out-of-control shoppers, eager to get a bargain at 5 a.m. What was more chilling was the fact that the bargain hunters kept on shopping after the store manager announced the store would close because of the incident.

I pray that others who don’t understand the true meaning of the greatest gift in the world will turn to the One who gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son.