Charis and her husband, Charlie, knelt beside their bed on Christmas Eve, silently giving thanks for Jesus, who had been born about 2,000 years ago to redeem them from sin.

Charis broke the silence with a whisper, “Thank you, Father, for the unsurpassed love with which you loved us in sending Jesus into the world to save us from sin. Thank you that Jesus became sin and died in our place so we could be justified, just as if we had never ever sinned.”

Charlie also broke his silence, “We could never have done anything to have deserved the amazing sacrifice that Jesus gave in providing salvation for us. But because of your amazing love and awesome grace, and because of Jesus’ willingness to offer Himself as a sacrifice, we can boldly approach your throne and ask forgiveness, both as sinners coming to be redeemed, and as born-again believers when we sin and fall short of your glory. Thank you for your patience with us.”

After their regular time of prayer and thanksgiving, the young married couple retrieved their individual writing pads and began listing the things for which they were the most thankful. After completing those lists, they began listing the items they most wanted as Christmas presents.

The top five items on Charis’ list included: A stronger desire to worship and serve the Lord every day, more opportunities to witness to others about God’s abundant, amazing love, more compassion with which to reach out to others with God’s love, the ability to complain less, and a greater desire to share her blessings with those whose blessings were not as abundant.

Charlie’s list was also spiritually motivated. His list included: A desire to be less hot-headed and more even-tempered, the ability to treat Charis with even more respect and kindness, exhibiting more love to their children, giving money to the church with an even greater joyful and happy spirit, and being more faithful to the church’s worship services.

The Lord, who knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, watched as the lists were being written. He spoke to Charis and then Charlie. God said, “Charis, I see your grateful heart, and your Christmas wishes are granted.”

To Charlie, the Lord whispered, “Son, I know your heart, and your Christmas desires are granted. I do have a suggestion for you on one of your wishes.”

“What’s that, Lord?” asked Charlie.

“When it comes to giving, just be a little more like your wife with your attitude. She enjoys giving so much, she is totally beside herself with my joy. If people looked hard enough, they might even be able to see two of her!”

(To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements (in the U.S.A.), including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please type “Speaking Engagements” in the subject line and e-mail raysofson@gmail.com or kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.)