For me, it was the toilet seat.

There’s a back story here. See, I don’t really like the combination of different-sized polka dots and someone’s initials written in Curlz font where the last initial is in the middle of the others (which I still don’t get). This may be your thing, so no offense if it is. I just don’t like them. Maybe it’s because they’ve become ubiquitous. They’re everywhere. Mailboxes. License plates. Front doors. Grill covers. Cell phone cases. Articles of clothing. One day in 2009, I was complaining about this stuff to my wife, and I told her that I was going to come up with my own line of customized toilet seats, complete with polka dots and initials. I was, of course, being very sarcastic.

Then came Christmas. Guess what I got?

My wife made it – and I’ll tell you this: I will NEVER forget that gift. I think it cost around $10 to put together (my wife is awesome) – and I will never forget it. I thought of making it into some sort of unique “lift-the-lid” picture frame. That remains to be decided.

I don’t remember most of the things I’ve gotten over the 30 years I’ve been alive for Christmas. I mean, I remember some things, like the year I got a new trumpet, the year my dad wrapped up about 60 packs of batteries that somehow landed in my pile, and the year that my mom found a winter jacket in April that she’d stashed away the previous year and forgotten about. I’d bet that my children will probably not remember anything they get for Christmas this year in about 4 months. But I will never forget the toilet seat. Needless to say, it has sparked interesting conversation on many occasions. But what makes this gift something I’ll never forget isn’t that it was so glamorous or someone spent so much money on it – I’ve had those things, and many of them I don’t even remember. It’s the fact that this was so extraordinary (meaning EXTRA ordinary) that I don’t think I could ever forget it.

With Christmas only a few days away, most of the Christmas shopping in the United States is done. Now we play the waiting game. Many of us still think, “Did I remember everyone? Did I remember gifts for every person?” But as you wait out these final days, let me ask you a question:

Have you forgotten the gifts?

Christmas is especially meaningful for me this year, as I’ve been using this time to reflect back on the numerous blessings God has shown my family this year. It’s important that we continue to remember these gifts, gifts from God, throughout the year, as they provide us with hope of what’s to come.

For some of us, Christmas has lost its flair. Maybe you don’t feel like you have much to be merry about. Whether you feel like this year has been one blessing after another or just a giant curse, I believe you can praise God for the gifts you are living out right now. Families, love, life in general… all of these have no price tag. They’re EXTRAordinary. Like the toilet seat.

Did I really just compare those things to a toilet seat??

Pastor Perry Noble wrote in a blog post: “Anytime I am tempted to doubt God’s faithfulness in my current circumstances, I simply have to remind myself to stop and look at all He has done in the past.” So simple, yet so profound. In other words, any time (not just at Christmas) you doubt God, don’t forget the gifts.

So remember the gifts. They are there. They may be clouded with the stress this season can bring for some of us, but they are still there. And once Monday hits, and another December 25th has come and gone, the wrapping paper will be piled up high, the sounds of new toys and gadgets will resonate throughout the house, and we’ll go back to our normal lives. But this year, don’t forget the gifts.

Remember: ultimately, we’ve all been given the best gift ever given. It costs us nothing, but it cost Someone everything.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 (NASB)

I hope you have an EXTRAordinary Christmas!