A Gift From My Heart

When the collection baskets are passed and the bread and wine are brought forward, it is easy to focus only on the physical items we are giving. Jude Nnam’s "A Gift From My Heart" gently interrupts that routine with a simple, searching question: "What shall I offer to the Lord to make Him happy?" This beloved Offertory hymn strips away our assumptions about what God actually wants from us.

The verses walk through a list of grand material offerings—from clothes and shoes to livestock and even cars and houses. The choir sings that God "may not take it," reminding the congregation that the Creator of the universe does not need our possessions. Instead, the melody builds to a unified resolution at the end of each verse, revealing the true offering: a loving, patient, humble, and caring heart.

Singing this piece is always a grounding moment for a choir. The straightforward English lyrics and the steady, moderate tempo allow the message to land clearly in the pews. It is a perfect choice for the presentation of gifts, shifting the focus of the Mass from the material to the spiritual, and inviting everyone to bring their very selves to the altar.