Giving of Yourself

For me, Christmas has always been an exciting time of the year.  Let us not forget that most importantly, we should always remember the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place... a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  As Christians, there is nothing more important than that and the teaching Christ brought us.

Nevertheless, free enterprise looks at the Christmas season for an entirely different reason.  Marketing, merchandise, presents for the sake of presents...  many of us have been sucked into the grasp of Christmas for the sake of business, not for the birth of Christ.  Perhaps the originating stories of St. Nicholas were ways of enhancing the Christmas Spirit... I think for many, we have forgotten that as well and all we think about is "getting something for everyone on our list".  I have no issue with giving a nice or needed gift to those to care about and love, however, this year has been a year of reflection for me.

I was happily reminded this year of the course of a few weeks, watching someone really give of themselves and they worked very hard to create a treasure for someone they cared about and loved.  It wasn't about getting to the store to get "something" to check off the list....  it was about watching them think about something that really mattered....  something that will undoubtedly touch the heart of the recipient.  They took time...  thought... gave of themselves with their own God given talent (or lack of it) to create a genuine gift of the season, a gift of love.

Today's world and life is crazy...  self centered... give because you care, give because they matter.

Merry Christmas