Have you ever gotten a Christmas gift that forces you into that most awkward of thank yous:

“Oh I love this! … What is it?”

At the Otterbein Small House Neighborhoods where I serve as Chaplain, and here at Unruly Hope, we’ll spend the next few weeks asking that very question along with Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, the Magi, and others who were close by when Jesus was born.

These were people who experienced angel visits, guiding stars, prophesies and impossible pregnancies. If all these happenings were gifts from God, I can imagine their thank yous:

“Oh I love this! … What is it?”

What exactly are the gifts God gave to them? To us?

I’m reading a book called Five Questions of Christmas by Rob Burkhart. Pick up a copy if you’d like, and follow along. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And your questions!