My favorite Christmas memory as a child happened the year my dad lost his job. That was the year Cabbage Patch dolls were all the rage. In case you are not a child of the ‘80s, they were one-of-a-kind cloth dolls with plastic heads that came with birth certificates and adoption papers. All the girls wanted them for Christmas.
They were also expensive.
My family was scraping by on my mom’s teaching salary. Even though it was a gift I longed for, I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be possible. I didn’t want my parents to feel bad about it so I kept my wish to myself.
My mama, however, had different plans. She found a woman from our church named Delores, who was making handmade dolls similar to the name-brand ones and charging much less. Delores had cared for me when I was in the church nursery. She painted the dolls’ faces and crafted their hair, making each one with unique features. Mama commissioned her to create a doll for me with my same chai latte skin tone, freckles, dark brown pigtails, and even a diamond-shaped beauty mark on her right cheek just like mine.
On Christmas morning, my brother and I raced downstairs to the tree eager to dig into the treats in our stockings and unwrap the gifts beneath the tree. I was surprised to see a hand-sewn, quilted baby carrier nestled among the other wrapped gifts. With sparkling eyes, Mama and Daddy encouraged me to open it.
Inside was the most beautiful doll I’d ever seen with lush, dark chocolate hair and features similar to my own. I was stunned. How did they do it? How did they know what I’d wanted?
I named my doll Kailani, which was my middle name meaning “heavenly child of the sea” in Hawaiian. That doll was my treasure for years. I cared for her, cuddled her, styled her, read to her, and talked to her about all my dreams. Cradling her in my arms, I cared for her like my own baby — never imagining God would one day give me three baby girls.
Kailani was a sweet reminder that God delights in giving us good gifts. He gave Delores and my mama the gift of creativity to fashion this doll just for me. And the best part was that Kailani looked like me. She wasn’t like all the other Cabbage Patch dolls. In my second-grade mind, she was more beautiful and perfect than if we had had the money to buy the name-brand one. Decades later, I’m still savoring the memory of receiving that handmade gift.
In the book of James, Jesus’ half-brother, reminds us:
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.
James 1:17-18 (HCSB)
Friends, sometimes in life we may find ourselves longing for something that someone else has. She might be especially adept in the kitchen or inspiring when she speaks on the stage. Your friend might have a way with words or beautiful features or that cute pair of shoes you’ve always wanted. We can focus on that specific gift that our friend has, or we can unwrap the generous and perfect gifts God has handcrafted uniquely for each one of us.
Maybe He painted you with freckles or shaped you with naturally curly hair. Maybe He molded you with a gift for organization or singing or gathering people. Maybe your gift is being able to see the person in the room who is hurting or on the fringes. Whatever your unique gift, embrace it. Receive it. Rip off the paper and use it for His glory!
As we draw near to Christmas, let’s remember the most perfect gift God gave each one of us. When He sent his son Jesus as a newborn baby to earth, He made the greatest sacrifice of all time. He knew when He gingerly placed His precious child in that rough manger that Jesus would one day have to die a horrible death on the cross. He gave up His most treasured possession to gift us freedom from sin and eternal life. Friends, this is not a gift we can earn or strive for. It’s unmerited and undeserved but given with unabashed love and grace. In all our traditions and gatherings, let’s not forget the True Gift — Jesus.
From the (in)courage archives and as printed in the Everyday Faith Winter Magazine.
Amen!
As an 80s child, I too wanted a cabbage patch kid. But my mom thought they were too ugly! Lol. And expensive. She found a lady who made beautiful dolls that fit life size baby clothes. They came with a name and birth certificate. I still have my Katherine Louise born August 2, 1983.
Awww, I love that memory! So special!
Thank you for the reminder that my gift from God is special and is a treasure. I have a big heart that gets broken but also big capacity for caring
Ariel, I appreciate you sharing that. I need that reminder too!
A big AMEN!
Thanks for reading and responding! Merry Christmas to you!
Dorina what a lovely way you put things in today’s reading you wrote. How thank full you were to get the doll you got. Even though it was not Cabbage patch doll. My we sister had Cabbage patch doll. I never liked them. But my we sister when young loved hers. Your Mum and Dad no matter what they were going through may not have much money. Made sure you and your Brother had gifts no matter what. You got an even better gift than Cabbage Patch doll. Hand made doll. Which someone put love in to make for you for Christmas. That makes it even more special than Cabbage Patch doll. As it was hand made with love and care. As the Cabbage Patch doll would have been made in big factory. Not the same nor the same love put into them. Like your Doll you got that year. Your Mum and Dad showed you and your Brother their love by making sure you both still had gifts for Christmas. Wasn’t that so lovely. Oh what love. God showed us his love by giving the world the best gift ever that was sending his son. Who came as baby. Who grew up to show us how to live for him. No better love was that. I believe kids no matter if parents have money or not much much money. Should be taught especially this time of year to be thankful they get a gift no matter what it is. Plus hear about the most beautiful gift our Lord gave us that was his son Jesus being born. Which is more important than any other gift they could receive. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little
Dawn, thanks for taking time to read and respond! I’m glad you could resonate with this one. We are showered with good gifts from our Heavenly Father!
My grandson, age 5, was visiting not too long ago and I was telling him that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus being born. He then very solemnly asked me “then why did they kill him?”
Very hard question to answer to a 5 year old’s ability to comprehend what we as adults often have difficulty understanding.
I struggled to explain that there as nice people and not so nice people in the world but in this case because Jesus is God’s son he was able to come back to life like a super hero. How else do you explain the resurrection to a 5 year old?
When he left to go home I was left wondering if I had done the right thing by my explanation. I still am not sure but by today’s definition of a super hero I firmly believe that Jesus is that and more.
Loretta, thank you for sharing your experience. That is a hard question. One thing I’ve learned about kids is that they do need us adults to sit with them in their questions. And sometimes it’s easier for them to accept the answers than adults! Love your superhero analogy!
Beautiful words communicating a wonderful truth. Thank you, Dorina.
Thank you for taking time to read and respond, my friend! Merry Christmas!
Grateful!
Wonderful post.
I was older than my sister. SHE got the real cabbage. For my confirmation, my grandma got me a handmade one.
I love how so many of us have memories with these dolls! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dorina,
I used to long & be jealous of my pastor’s wife. The cooking & baking talents she has I wanted them. Then one day she told someone that I am a good cook. What? Me? The one I was jealous of said I was a good cook. I started cooking more for friends as gifts, when sick or going through trials. I also realized that cooking wasn’t the biggest talent God gave me. He gave me the gift of compassion & encouragement. I see the person on the fringes & go over to talk with them. You will often find me encouraging patients or families on my job at hospital. Constantly ripping open my gift & sharing it with this sin darkened world.
Blessings 🙂