27 years ago this Christmas, my husband and I boarded a Pan Am flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Detroit, only 5 days after Flight 103 exploded on the same route over Lockerbie, Scotland. We just married that summer and were much more adventurous than wise. I was leaving my home and family to start a new life with my husband. The terror attack from the prior week made us nervous and grateful that we had evaded a terrible tragedy. Memories of that Christmas are still vivid.
My heart was stirred recently by Chris Fabry Live, a Christian Talk Show in which Chris asked, “What was a significant intangible gift you received from your parents?” Memories about that Christmas flooded my heart again. I remembered my dad handing me a key to the front door of our home. Not much was said, but I knew I was always welcome home, no matter what.
The following poem poured from my heart, as I pondered this beautiful gift my dad gave me 27 years ago this Christmas, a gift of welcome and unconditional love.
~
When long ago I left my home,
Love drew my heart away.
Adventures lured young, restless souls –
No one could make us stay.
With fearless zeal and courage packed
I left that Christmas day.
I never thought I would look back
Nor mourn my childhood ways.
But you reached out your Father’s hand –
Held out a rope and key,
You wanted me to understand,
Your door unlocks for me.
If soon our new found love grew cold,
Or winds and storms would come,
Or new adventures fast turn old,
You’d always have me home.
That day your kindness gave me hope;
It helped my heart to see,
That at the end of every rope
There always is a key!
Danke, Papa
“Our Father,
help us this season to give intangible gifts that change lives
and impact a hurting world.
Help us to remind the world around us
that You love us with an everlasting love.
Thank You for Your gift of love, namely Jesus,
who is the Key to Your heavenly home.
With Him in us, You always welcome us in.
Help us to show others that it is HE
who unlocks the greatest love the World has ever known
and allows us to enter into Your presence.”
~
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
(I would love to hear about a time you have received an intangible gift, either from your parents or others. Feel free to share in the comment section!)
Heidi Viars 
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