I grew up as one of eight children, living with my mom and dad in a small Ohio town. After the first week of December, the local college went on Christmas break, which was a kind of signal for my sisters, brothers, and me. My parents would drive us through town, and we would select our family tree from the ones prematurely pitched out on the sidewalks by students from the dormitories. I can still see the pines and spruces leaning against the trash cans, the used tinsel glistening in the sun. Year after year, the throwaway tree we selected became the center of our family festivities.

One Christmas morning is fixed in my memory. Our family was seated around the secondhand tree, which that year occupied more than half our living room. A crooked star was perched on top, where the tree had been cut to clear our low ceiling. Dad assumed the role of announcing the names on the packages and then distributing them. Some were so large that they had to be pushed across the linoleum floor.

It was always an exciting moment, but this year the thrill of what was in store for me was dashed when I did not hear my name. Ignored in the activity, I watched my brothers and sisters as they riped the wrapping from their boxes. I bit my lip to hold back the tears. My mother saw the oversight and ran to the kitchen where she grabbed the last forgotten present from a hidden shelf in the cereal cabinet. She hurried back in and handed me an unusually small package.

What? That's all? I thought, as she laid the box on the palm of my hand. It was so tiny that the label with my name on it stuck over the side. I blinked my eyes in disappointment as I remembered how tight money was in our family.

The wrapping paper came off, and a white box now shook in my hand as I lifted the lid and gazed inside. There on a flat square of cotton was the most beautiful silver charm bracelet I had ever seen. A heavy chain that fit exactly around my wrist held two glistening charms--an angel and a heart that said, "I love you."

I couldn't talk. I had wanted a charm bracelet like those of other girls at school, but I thought we could never afford one. As my mother reached over to help me fasten the latch, I threw my arms around both my parents: "Thank you! Oh, Dad and Mom, thank you!"

I can't remember what the others got that Christmas morning. I can, however, still see the sunlight reflecting off my long-awaited charm bracelet as it dangled delicately from my wrist.

During this Christmas season, your heavenly Father just might have made similar provisions for you. Perhaps the thing you've been waiting for is right in front of you, and you just need to recognize it. Maybe you're searching in the wrong place or for the wrong packaging. It just could be that you're looking for something gigantic when the very best and lasting gift of all might just be in some little place. Open your eyes and take a look around. And while you're doing that, recall some of the promises Jesus has left for you under the tree this Christmas:

"Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (Matthew 21:22).

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened" (Luke 11:9).

"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14).

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:23).

Those words just about cover everything you could possibly ever want or need. So go ahead! Find the gift label with your all because of His name.

Then enjoy and be thankful! Be a grateful child.That's what your Father loves to see the most.

And Merry Christmas to you each and every one.