THE GIFT OF SELF
Contributed by Melanie Schurr


"The only gift is a portion of thyself." - Emerson

As a very young child, I recall watching a children's film titled, "The Little Drummer Boy." The animated fictional story told about a poor shepherd boy who went to visit the Christ child on the day of his birth. When he arrived, the boy realized that other visitors presented the baby Jesus and his parents with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the shepherd boy had no gift due to his impoverished state. The only possession in the world the child had was a small handmade drum, and so, the little drummer boy gave the only gift he could give out of the pureness of his heart. The young shepherd picked up his drum, and as he looked in wonder at the Christ child, he played the best song ever; a drum solo inspired by the opening of his own heart.

Even as an adult, this animated cartoon never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Certainly, it is only a make-believe story, but the message it conveys is not only very real, but of great importance.

The gift of self is a most precious gift, indeed, because it is not a gift that can be purchased easily with money, but requires the time, energy, and heartfelt sentiments of the giver. For example, every mother knows how her heart leaps when her child presents her with a hand- drawn card, offers her a hand-picked flower, or gives her that old kindergarten standby, the noodle necklace! I don't know about you, but that silly noodle necklace was more precious to me than diamonds or pearls! This, my friends, is a gift of love. A gift of self.

There are birthday gifts, and Christmas gifts. Gifts of fruit, chocolates and flowers. However, the most precious gift known to all of mankind, is the gift of salvation our heavenly Father presented all of us when He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a living sacrifice for our sins. Our Creator did not "have" to do this, but He loved us so richly as individuals, that He gave to us the greatest gift He could give. The gift of love. The gift of self.