"I have a present for you," Izzie called out from the living room of our country home. And on most occasions, I just call out and say, "I will be right there." However, this time, my auntie antenna was up, for I had had a shoebox with a bright Christmas-red top sitting on the foot of my bed. It was now missing. The contents of the box were small articles like dolly blankets and such. My niece, Izzie, who is six, loves to surprise her ole Auntie and also her Mimi (grandmother).

Thinking that she must have made a drawing or paper cut-out for us, her Mimi and I harkened to her call and seated ourselves on the sofa. The missing shoebox with its red top sat on the ottoman near the sofa. Izzie, standing very straight before us, reached down and lifted one corner of the box top and waited as if to let something out. Slowly, she closed the lid, took a deep breath, and began to sing, "I love you, I love you, I love you." Adoration was the look that she gave us as she sang — her body not moving. She was there to deliver, not to perform. After about three verses of "I love you," she stepped back and announced, "Your gift is a song."

Somehow, I managed not to shed a tear over the precious gift. However, my lips did tremble as I thanked Izzie for her lovely song. Mesmerized by the presentation, her Mimi and I just looked at each other with pride and wonder for this little girl and her beautiful heart. And now, with the ear of my own heart having been opened by this song sung in cotton-soft tones — a song taken from a shoebox with a Christmas-red top, the Spirit within me gave a nudge, and I remembered Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. Mary was barely out of girlhood when she surrendered her soul in verse to our heavenly Father:

Luke 1:46-49 – My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. (NKJV)

Mary's song of adoration was to and for God.

Beloved, Advent is upon us, and what is our "I love You" prayer? My prayer for us is just this:

Prayer: Holy Father, we open our hearts in adoration to You for the gift of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We, too, like Izzie, sing out, "I love You, I love You, I love You." Amen.

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About the author:

Sandra Kay Taylor <marthaclone31@aol.com>
Westminster, South Carolina, USA
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