On that first Christmas, more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ “made himself nothing” and was born “in appearance as a man” (Philippians 2:7-8). In a way, he gave up everything to become fully human and save our lives.In a very small way, Kevin understands something of what that means. In 2009, it seemed he had everything: a highly successful career in management at a luxury resort in Florida; a custom-made home sitting on several acres; four cars; a boat, and much more. But alcohol was killing him. And he knew it. So he gave it all away — the career, the money, the home, the cars, and the boat. He even left his community and family behind. He gave up everything to try to save his own life.

The Perfect Gift

When he came to Springs Rescue Mission that year, he arrived with: nothing. He was lonely, shattered, and hopeless. But hope and his life were reborn when he received Jesus Christ. Jesus transformed his life.Over his first Christmas at the Mission, however, the old feelings of being alone and forgotten returned. At the time, he worked in the Mission’s warehouse. It was cold work, and he didn’t own gloves or a hat or a scarf. He had nothing.But on Christmas morning, he received an unexpected Christmas present: a knitted pair of gloves, handmade by a complete stranger from a local church.“That gift was so special,” Kevin recalls. “I never asked for those gloves. But they were made especially for me. Someone cared enough about me to make those gloves and give them to me. Someone thought I still had some value, saw my potential, and they invested in me. At one time, I thought I had everything. But that gift was the most precious gift ever.”“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” — James 1:17