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Read Jacob's story below, as told by his Dad:

 

Tonight after I put my kids to bed, my middle son, Benjamin, tracked me down in my office. “Dad, Jacob is crying,” he said with concern in his voice.

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“Okay, bud. Let’s go see what’s wrong.”

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I came into the kids’ room and could hear Jacob, my 8-year-old and oldest son, crying on the top layer of the triple bunk bed. I climbed all the way to the precipice and wrapped him up in my arms.

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“What’s wrong, kiddo?” I asked him. He seemed reluctant to tell me what was amiss. “Please be open and honest with me,” I pleaded. “I’m your Dad, that’s why I’m here. To listen and to help you.”

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Eventually the dam burst and he poured out with a loud voice, “I’m so sad! I don’t deserve all the things that I have. I shouldn’t have any of it. There are all those people who don’t have anything and I have so much, and it hurts me. I’ve never felt this way inside before.” He was sobbing uncontrollably. I had no idea where this was coming from. My heart was breaking for him. I hugged him tight. 

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“What people?” I asked.

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“The people in places like Africa, and Haiti. They don’t have food, or shelter, or anything. I have so much stuff and the kids there don’t even have water sometimes. I feel so bad.”

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“Well, what do we do about it? What can we learn? How can we help?” I inquired.

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“I don’t know,” he responded while wiping the tears from his eyes.

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“First of all, none of us deserve anything that we have. It’s all a gift from God. So the first thing we can do is be grateful, and thank God for all that we have. Learn to appreciate the things that you have been given. And second, we recognize the blessings that we have so that we can then help others who are not as fortunate as we are. We use the things that God has given us to bless others, and to love and serve them. So how can you use what God has given you to help others? What are some ways that you can give to those who don’t have all the things that you do?”

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Jacob paused for a bit, seemingly unwilling to share what was stirring in his heart. Finally, he broke the silence. “Maybe we can give the money you and Mommy were going to use for our Christmas to kids in Africa to help buy the things that they need.”

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My heart melted immediately and I began to cry. I hugged him tight. “Jacob, you have an amazing heart. It’s always better to give than it is to receive. You will be happier than you could imagine if you sacrifice what you have so that other people can experience some of the things that you have been given.”

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At that moment, my other two sons chimed in as well. “We want to give our Christmas money to help other kids too!”

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I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say, so we had a big group hug and I told them all how much I loved them. My heart was so full of love.

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After I said my final goodnights to the kids, Jacob came wandering into my room. He immediately jumped into my arms and embraced me with his arms wrapped snug around my neck. “Dad,” he said, “I feel so much better. My heart feels good now. Even though I am little bit sad I won’t get my guitar for Christmas, I am more happy that we can help other people. I love you Dad, you’re the best Dad in the world.”

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I continued to hold Jacob in my arms. “Jesus gave and gave, until He gave His own life. And that’s what it means to be a Christian; to give and to love. I’m so proud of you. Now get to bed.”

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Now that’s what Christmas is all about.