Even though she didn’t have any money to spend, one thoughtful student ended up giving the best christmas gift to teacher Rachel Uretsky-Pratt. And this short inspirational Christmas story helps remind us it’s not about what you give but how you give.
Most of the elementary school children in Rachel Uretsky-Pratt’s class come from families who are struggling financially. Even so, some of her students still like to give her something for Christmas.
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As a teacher, Rachel treasures all of the Christmas gifts she receives from students. But one year, one girl’s gift stood out in particular.
“Today I received some chocolates, sweet handmade notes, some jewelry, but these Lucky Charm marshmallows stood out to me the most,” she explained.
The bag of marshmallows came from a little girl who wanted to give her teacher a Christmas gift so badly but didn’t have anything to give.
Kind-Hearted Student Gives Best Christmas Gift To Teacher
All of the students at Rachel’s school receive free or reduced lunch, along with a free breakfast each day. With no money to buy a gift for Rachel, this thoughtful child set aside the best of what she had to give to her.
“Rather than give me nothing, this student opened up her free breakfast cereal this morning, took the packaging of her spork, straw, and napkin, and finally took the time to take every marshmallow out of her cereal to put in a bag — for me,” Rachel said.
Most kids consider the marshmallows the best part of Lucky Charms cereal. And the kind gesture touched the teacher’s heart.
While this originally happened in 2018, the girl’s gift sent a powerful message that is just as important and true today.
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“Be grateful for what you have,” Rachel wrote, “and what others give you. It all truly comes from the deepest parts of their hearts.”
Girl’s Gift Becomes A Modern-Day Parable
This little girl’s Christmas gift to her teacher reminds me of the parable of the widow’s offering shared in Mark 12 (verses 41-43). In it, Jesus tells of watching many rich people throw large amounts of money into the temple treasury. But then He watched a poor widow throw in two small coins not worth very much. Jesus declared the widow’s offering more valuable.
“Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others’.” Mark 12:43
From a worldly standpoint, the rich gave more in this parable because the amount totaled higher. But the rich gave from their excess wealth while still keeping plenty of money for themselves.
Meanwhile, the poor widow’s funds didn’t total as high as the rich donors but she gave all that she had. And that’s why this student’s Christmas gift to her teacher was the best. Just like the widow’s offering, the child sacrificed to give the best of what she had.
What a powerful lesson this little girl showed us all!
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“Truly, I say to you, If you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
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h/t: Love What Matters
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