Look what was waiting outside our door this evening when Nate, Ava and I returned from our family night out.

Ava ran up to the basket and yelled back to me. “Mama it’s presents. It’s presents for you Mama. They’re for you, Mama”

Apparently Ava learned to read on the way home from Fudruckers, because written on the envelope nestled among the shiny red packages was “Rachel, read this first.”

I excitedly ripped into the card as Nate wandered up to the door, “Whoa, what is all this?”

“It’s for Mama. It’s Mama’s for Christmas! Maybe Heather and Nick gave it to her. ‘Cause she is such a special Mama.”

I have no idea how she knew it was for me, perhaps she’s in cahoots with the giftbearer.

Here was the message in the basket:

Dear Sister,

This Advent Basket is a gift to you, a reminder that as you wait for JESUS He gives you gifts every day. May He draw near to you during this Advent Season!

Beginning December 1st, open one gift each day with the corresponding number. On the 25th, celebrate the reality of Christ’s birth (and find out who gave you this basket)!

I am simply overwhelmed with joy by the sweet, sweet, kindness of this mysterious basket bearer. Oh, how I love surprises and acts of thoughtfulness. I cannot believe that someone thought to find twenty-five presents for me, wrapped them all up in beautiful foil paper, arrange them in a basket, drive to my house, and put them outside my door. And then to be told that this sweet gesture is only a symbol of my great Savior’s love for me. It’s really all too beautiful to imagine!

I was so giddy Nate thought it best to remove the basket from my hands and place it out of my reach lest I spoil my surprise.

Believe me he will be the enforcer of one gift per day.