This Christmas, I felt very strongly I wanted to give a particular gift to the Savior of the World at the celebration of His birth.  I knew in my heart that what he really wanted was for me to give up my fear to Him.  To let go of insecurities, worry, doubt, comparison, judgment and pride.  I wanted to sing---to sing of Him and His birth and to do so from my heart and soul and then let others hear it (that’s the hard part)!

A particular Christmas song kept running through my head as well as a pattern of melodies for the words, but how would I put that together?  Our family is blessed to be friends with Max Buhler, one of the most talented pianists I have ever come across.  I approached Max and he literally created the accompaniment to this piece underneath me as I would sing a line of melody to him.  It was a gift in itself to work with him!   As a storyteller, I imagined what it would have felt like to be there at the manger and to try to tell others what was happening-the joy and the wonder and the silence and the sound all at the same time!

What resulted is a gift from my heart.  I realize that the vocal performance isn’t perfect (although the piano accompaniment is!  Thank you, Max!).  I realize that there will be those who find it awesome and those who find it alright.  And that’s OK.  It’s all good.  My gift to God is the willingness to put it out there because it comes perfectly from my heart.  It is filled with all the love I have for my Heavenly Father and my Savior.  It is filled with the love I have for my precious family and my cherished friends.  It is given with the hope that all will be able to let go of some fear in their lives.  That you will reach out for something you might think is beyond your reach.  That you will have a greater appreciation of your worth, your gifts and your talents.  That we will claim God’s perfect love within our hearts and souls and remember that “perfect love casteth out all fear”.  As we do that, we crown Him King of Kings and the Prince of Peace!!

This is my gift at the manger and our family’s gift to you.  We wish you all the best your hearts can hold!  Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year!
All our love,
The Holdman Family
Tom, Gayle, TJ, Victoria, and Vandon


Gayle Terry Holdman

Popular tracks