A gift of life
By Pastor Dan Gottschalk

On Dec. 12, 2006, I was diagnosed with four blockages in arteries that supply blood to my heart. The blockages were 100%, 99%, 99%, and 72%. On Dec. 14, 2006, I had quadruple bypass surgery.

Christmas is very special this year. Christmas is not only the celebration of the most precious gift ever given, the baby Jesus -man's redeemer. Christmas is a gift for the Gottschalk family because it is a holiday that without the protection of God and the work of Dr. Stone and a skilled heart surgical team, I would have never been alive to see. From that day forward, Dec. 14, 2006, every kiss from my wife, every hug from my children and grandchildren, every letter from mom, every handshake from a friend, every sunrise and sunset is a gift. Every tasty meal, every walk and every opportunity to gather in God's house is an underserved joyous occasion. Every Minnesota fishing trip is a testimony to the beauty of creation. God is indeed good.

One of the greatest gifts God gave me in the two days I waited in the hospital for my surgery was the gift of peace and the assurance that I was in His hands and that if I lived or if I died he was my Savior and I could count on him.

There is something about heart surgery that changes everything. There is something about baby Jesus that can change your life. My encounter with heart surgery gave me a few more years to live and a much better quality of life. My encounter with the Christmas Baby Jesus who became the Easter sacrifice has changed my life and given me an eternity to live.

My prayer for you this Christmas is to have a heart touching, life changing, eternal life giving experience with the reason for the season, Jesus Christ.

Dan Gottschalk

Born 10-29-1948

Born again 8-15-1956

Given new life 12-14-2006

Dan Gottschalk is pastor at Camden United Methodist Church.