This Christmas, open your heart to God's greatest gift

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever."

- Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

As a young girl, I waited with anticipation for our family gathering each Christmas Eve.

The area beneath our tree overflowed abundantly with gifts. I loved all the festive, brightly colored wrappings. However, I couldn't wait to tear through them and see what was beneath all the beautiful paper.

Before I opened my gifts, I carefully read the tags so I knew who they were from. I found one from my aunt. Ripping off the wrapping, I found a container of scented bath powder. For the past few years, I had received the same present from her. I wasn't so fond of this gift. Oh, it was OK, but at 8 years old it just wasn't what I had hoped for.

Year after year, the predictable gift arrived under the tree.

"I know what that present is," I would say to my sister, as I read the tag on the package.

Then I became a teenager. As far back as I could remember, each Christmas the gift of powder arrived just as I foretold it would. However, one year a change occurred.

The gift remained the same, but I was beginning to change. I was blooming into a young lady and the thought of scented bath powder thrilled me. I loved perfumes, toiletries, and makeup. What I once thought was an ordinary gift became one of my favorites.

Oftentimes, things in our lives are much the same way. But then one day, through life experiences and time, a change of perspective takes place. We see things that were once mediocre in a different light.

In our spiritual life, we can grow and change our perspective as well. Change begins to occur in our hearts when we realize what we once thought was mundane is, in fact, the greatest gift of all.

The never-changing gift of salvation God offers us in Jesus Christ gives us the blessing of eternal life, healing, wisdom, talents, abilities and a purpose.

This Christmas, let's not only unwrap our packages. Let's make a change and open our hearts to God's greatest gift - the One that never changes.

• Annettee Budzban is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, life coach and nurse. She is available for speaking to your church group or business. Contact her for information about her Saturday conference in January: "Writing for fun and profit." Annettee can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Visit www.annetteebudzban.com.