The Christmas Gift

My friend had a Christmas gift He wanted to give me; He shushed it was a secret And I couldn't see. It's awful not knowing What a present is: It's like getting stuck In a cryptogrammic quiz. He laughed When I begged for a hint, With an evil snicker At my hapless predicament. But as I steamed, I looked about: A light snow was falling, And it was so very peaceful out. The year had its struggles, We nearly lost the place, But that sudden promotion Put me at a more amiable pace. Janell gave me an awful scare When she found a lump on her breast; We prayed pretty hard, But she aced every test. Sadie and Jeff Gave a grandchild last spring: The sweetest, dark-haired girl That life could bring. I felt a little misty As I stood there, But he hadn't told me about the gift And it just wasn't fair! I thought of the fancy paper, And I saw my grandbaby stand; I thought of the lacy ribbon, And I felt my wife's hand. Something was happening to me, I couldn't tell, But it dawned As clear as a bell. There were gifts That I had gotten, Not in boxes and paper, How could I have forgotten? Saving our home Was a gift, indeed, And my wife's health, What more did I need? The grandbaby, in my arms, Made me feel alive; You know, I heard angels Right there in the drive. I wanted a gift, But what gifts I'd received; "Merry Christmas," my friend grinned, "Now do you believe?"