A Christmas Devotion: The Gift That Felt Too Big

December 14, 2025

It was Christmastime 1978, and I was in the eighth grade.

My father asked me directly, “What on your list do you really want for Christmas this year?”

I couldn’t help but smile. I was the kid whose Christmas list, written out the day after Thanksgiving, was a mile long. Even though I often heard the phrase, “We can’t afford it,” I still managed to craft a pretty ambitious wish list.

I told Dad a couple of the usual things.

“No, what do you really want?” he pressed.

I knew he was asking if there was anything I wanted that wasn't on the paper. And there was one thing, but it was far too big. I knew we couldn’t afford it. It was too much for one present—too much even for a combined Christmas-Easter-Birthday-Graduation gift.

It was a stereo.

My friends all had stereos in their rooms, complete with a radio, turntable, and tape player. Our family had a unit in the den, but I desperately wanted my own.

“I’d really like a stereo,” I finally admitted.

My dad simply referred me back to my original, written list.

Fast forward to Christmas morning.

I ripped into a massive box and found it: a brand-new stereo, complete with a radio, turntable, and tape player. The gift I had been certain was impossible.

Overwhelmed, I raced down the hall into my room, tears streaming down my face, and closed the door.

My mom banged softly on the door. “Robbie, are you all right, honey?”

I let her in and tried to explain my breakdown. I was in shock. The gift was too big, too expensive. I felt I didn't deserve it, and the thought of what my parents might have sacrificed to get it for me was unbearable. I loved it, yet I wanted to return it.

She gently reassured me. She told me it was okay, that they could afford it, and that they had gotten it because they loved me and wanted me to be happy.

I was completely overwhelmed—not just by the magnificent gift, but by the profound love behind it.

It was my most memorable Christmas.

The Unthinkable Gift

That gift was wonderful, but it points to a much greater one.

This Christmas, I invite you to pause and wonder at the gift that Jesus is to us. To wonder means to feel a surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, or inexplicable.

The events surrounding Christ—from the moment the angel appeared to Mary, to his birth, to his life and sacrifice 33 years later—are all wonderfully true and inexplicable.

Wonder at the reason He came: God’s immense love and perfect gift for you.

Wonder at the gift of your faith and the result of that belief: you shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Wonder at the scope of what we receive from this gift, as declared in the hymn, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” Reflect on each verse….

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

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Ship's Log - School Update

By Taneka Darby • September 23, 2025

Cultivating Minds and Hearts It's a privilege to assist our teachers and parents in cultivating the young minds and hearts of our students. As an alumna of Dawn Treader Christian School and a former teacher, it's a full-circle experience to observe the many facets of education, such as admissions, academics, classroom instruction, assessments, and academic competitiveness. Student and Academic Growth We're grateful to have experienced growth in admissions this year. Our student body has increased to 117 students, and we're planning for more growth in each grade level in the months and years to come. With growth comes the responsibility to steward our learners, and our staff members are extremely excited and eager to instruct our students. Not only are they utilizing smartboards and Chromebooks in the classroom for instruction, visual aids, and classroom management, but students also have after-school activities available, such as classes in Coding, Math Enrichment, and STEM. Making STEM available to our students has been one of our top priorities as we train them to advance in their academics and beyond. Preparing for the Future As we prepare our students for middle school and high school, we use I-Ready Diagnostic Assessments and standardized testing tools to help teachers and parents understand the strengths and challenges of our students. Last year, we implemented an I-Ready Pep Rally to help ignite excitement in reading and mathematics. During each round of I-Ready, every class experienced growth in both subjects, and students were celebrated for their efforts. Our eighth-grade learners are also in the process of preparing for high school applications, open houses, and shadowing opportunities, which is always exciting. Extracurricular Enrichment This year, a plethora of events are planned for our students, including Hispanic Heritage Presentations, participation in the Northern NJ Christian School Spelling Contest, the annual D.T.C.S. Christmas Concert, Black History Month Presentations, Read Across America, and our annual Spring Concert, to name a few. We're looking forward to an exciting year full of growth and success for our students and staff. Thank you for your partnership and willingness to sow into the lives of our students as we help them tap into their God-given potential. We pray that the seeds that have been sown into Dawn Treader Christian School will, in turn, bless you richly. Ms. Taneka Darby Dean of Students and the Admissions Contact

From Ensemble to Elite Eight: Imani Baker's Journey of Praise and Purpose

By Robert Skead • June 23, 2025

Imani Baker , a rising 8th grader at Dawn Treader, seamlessly blends her passion for music with a deep-rooted faith. From harmonizing with her beloved Ensemblet o navigating the supportive halls of Dawn Treader since kindergarten, Imani's journey is a testament to the power of community, mentorship, and a clear vision for the future. Her story, marked by a love for abstract art, a dedication to her studies, and an ambition to return to Dawn Treader as a teacher, highlights a young woman already living out the quiet yet impactful life described in her favorite Bible verse. Favorite thing about being in the Ensemble: My favorite thing is praising God. I like the people too. It’s really fun. We have so much fun together. I especially like how we do harmonies for specific songs. It was sometimes tricky to learn, but Ms. Williams taught and encouraged us, and we got it. Favorite thing about Dawn Treader : My fellow students and the staff members. I’ve been at dawn Treader since kindergarten, so I’ve met lots of people through the years. Some have moved on, some are still here. Mr. Berra does everything and I know I can always go to him when I have a problem. When I need help, all the teachers are there to listen. They pray for me and give me Bible verses and biblical advice. Favorite school subject: Music On what she wants to be when she grows up: I want to come back and be a teacher at Dawn Treader. I’d love to be the music teacher like Ms. Williams, who has taught me so much, but I’d teach any subject. Hobbies: Singing, painting (abstract art), dancing, reading, swimming Favorite Bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12, NIV, which says, “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that yo uwill not be dependent on anybody".