--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know the excitement of getting a…" description: "\"We know the excitement of getting a present - we love to unwrap it to see what is inside. So it is with our children. They are gifts we unwrap for year..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/cornelius-plantinga-38829_character_we-know-the-excitement-of-getting-a-pres_1269805.jpg" --- # We know the excitement of getting a present - we love to… ![“We know the excitement of getting a present - we love to unwrap it to see what is inside. So it is with our children. They are gifts we unwrap for years as we discover the unique characters God has made them.” quote by Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/cornelius-plantinga-38829_character_we-know-the-excitement-of-getting-a-pres_1269805.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/cornelius-plantinga-38829_character_we-know-the-excitement-of-getting-a-pres_1269805.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/cornelius-plantinga-38829_character_we-know-the-excitement-of-getting-a-pres_1269805.jpg) > “We know the excitement of getting a present - we love to unwrap it to see what is inside. So it is with our children. They are gifts we unwrap for years as we discover the unique characters God has made them.” [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children are gifts that reveal unique divine characters as they grow, similar to the joy of unwrapping a present. **In simple terms:** Children reveal God’s design over time. Key Takeaway Cherish each stage of a child’s development. Themes parenthood spirituality growth Mood reflective joyful Type inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - family milestones - parent‑child bonding - spiritual reflection Key Concepts theology identity development Questions to Reflect On - What unique traits do you see in your child? - How does this view shape your parenting? A Different Perspective Assumes all children fit a singular divine plan. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Excitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excitement/) [Gifts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gifts/) ## Related quotes > [“Open your eyes and see how many gifts there are to unwrap. Notice the presence of your presents. It’s not your life that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-krech/open-your-eyes-and-see-how-many-gifts-there-are-to-unwrap-notice-the/) [Gregg Krech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-krech/) > [All children have gifts, some open them at different times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-polacco/all-children-have-gifts-some-open-them-at-different-times/) [Patricia Polacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-polacco/) > [“Unwrap me with all the verve of a new gift...After all, it is not every day I have enough clothes on to be present...able...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-alison/unwrap-me-with-all-the-verve-of-a-new-gift-after-all-it-is-not-every/) [Virginia Alison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-alison/) > [Simple, practical, brilliant. What a wonderful world it will be when all families give their children the gifts presented in Dr. Reznick’s book. Joy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-karp/simple-practical-brilliant-what-a-wonderful-world-it-will-be-when-all/) [Harvey Karp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-karp/) > [I tell myself that God gave my children many gifts - spirit, beauty, intelligence, the capacity to make friends and to inspire respect. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-kennedy/i-tell-myself-that-god-gave-my-children-many-gifts-spirit-beauty/) [Rose Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-kennedy/) > [“Children are gifts. They are not ours for the breaking. They are ours for the making.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/children-are-gifts-they-are-not-ours-for-the-breaking-they-are-ours/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [Your body is a gift, don't let just anybody unwrap your present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambri-bright/your-body-is-a-gift-don-t-let-just-anybody-unwrap-your-present/) [Ambri Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambri-bright/) > [“Your imagination is a gift, unwrap it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaeda-dewalt/your-imagination-is-a-gift-unwrap-it/) [Jaeda DeWalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaeda-dewalt/) > [“We’re going to unwrap her like a fucking Christmas present.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-cunning/we-re-going-to-unwrap-her-like-a-fucking-christmas-present/) [Olivia Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-cunning/) > [“Life is a gift that you get to unwrap everyday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rossana-snee/life-is-a-gift-that-you-get-to-unwrap-everyday/) Rossana Snee > [Valentines Day does not exist in my book. Every year it sucks the same. It is all about gifts, love is jut a cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-bognar/valentines-day-does-not-exist-in-my-book-every-year-it-sucks-the-same/) [Jenna Bognar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-bognar/) > [“I've written about persistence and perseverance and yet for those of us with patchwork lives (projects, earnings, caretaking, home-tending, playing, friending, loving, celebrating, hurting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shellen-lubin/i-ve-written-about-persistence-and-perseverance-and-yet-for-those-of/) [Shellen Lubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shellen-lubin/) > [“Children give terrible gifts because they are poor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-delaney/children-give-terrible-gifts-because-they-are-poor/) [Rob Delaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-delaney/) > [To my future children; you will know the true meaning of Christmas just not you get gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-my-future-children-you-will-know-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) ## More by Cornelius Plantinga > [To be a responsible person is to find one's role in the building of shalom, the re-webbing of God, humanity and all creation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/to-be-a-responsible-person-is-to-find-one-s-role-in-the-building-of/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [A humble person is more likely to be self confident... a person with real humility knows how much they are loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/a-humble-person-is-more-likely-to-be-self-confident-a-person-with/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [Because they are human beings, addicts long for wholeness, for fulfillment, and for the final good that believers call God. Like all idolatries, addiction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/because-they-are-human-beings-addicts-long-for-wholeness-for/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [At every stage, addiction is driven by one of the most powerful, mysterious, and vital forces of human existence. What drives addiction is longing--a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/at-every-stage-addiction-is-driven-by-one-of-the-most-powerful/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [... the way to thrive is to help others thrive; the way to flourish is to help others flourish; the way to fulfill yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/the-way-to-thrive-is-to-help-others-thrive-the-way-to-flourish-is-to/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [Patience is like good motor oil. It doesn't remove all the contaminants. It just puts them into suspension so they don't get into your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/patience-is-like-good-motor-oil-it-doesn-t-remove-all-the/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [To speak of sin without grace is to minimize the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Spirit, and the hope of shalom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/to-speak-of-sin-without-grace-is-to-minimize-the-resurrection-of/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [Recalling and confessing our sin is like taking out the garbage: once is not enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/recalling-and-confessing-our-sin-is-like-taking-out-the-garbage-once/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [For the Christian church… to ignore, euphemize, or otherwise mute the lethal reality of sin is to cut the nerve of the gospel. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/for-the-christian-church-to-ignore-euphemize-or-otherwise-mute-the/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) > [It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-plantinga/it-must-be-an-odd-feeling-to-be-thankful-to-nobody-in-particular/) [Cornelius Plantinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) [Explore all 11 Cornelius Plantinga quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We know the excitement of getting a present - we love to unwrap it to see what is inside. 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