Erik's Christmas Gift Exchange

Christmas is coming, and it's time for the children to draw names for the gift exchange. Erik draws Todd's name and is unhappy about the prospect of choosing a gift for a classmate that he doesn't like very much. When Erik and his school friends go to the mall to buy their gifts, they decide they should have a Christmas play on the day of the gift exchange. Erik searches for a gift and finds a spectacular car--for himself. He purchases the car and has a meager amount left to buy something for Todd. He chooses an inexpensive, small hard ball. On the day of the exchange, Erik overhears Todd talking to the teacher about Jesus' love for Todd. Erik is sad. Todd wasn't a mean boy; he just wasn't sure about God's place in his life. Erik makes a decision about the ball and car he purchased and decides the best thing to do is give the good present to Todd. When Erik opens his own gift, he discovers something special about the gift and the giver. Armchair Interviews says: Erik's Christmas Gift Exchange is a life lesson about the true meaning of Christmas. And it's one that younger and middle-reader children will easily understand and be able to incorporate into their lives.