The Gifting

“Tis the season to be jolly, Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.” How many times did you hear that tune this holiday season during the Christmas celebration as you decked the halls with your various decorations? This is the season that from, midnight of Thanksgiving we go into a shopping frenzy to buy gifts for friends or love ones and sometimes use this time to buy a gift or two for ourselves. It’s probably one of the world’s greatest times of giving. We sometimes give to those who we don’t particularly like or even know just because of the Christmas season. There are many who give to their employers and employees because it’s just expected regardless of how we feel about them. Not a lot of thought is placed on the gift and very little sentiment is wrapped within.

As gifts are opened on Christmas, the reactions come in a vast array of emotions from young children to the oldest adult. From screams of glee to humph! The gifts emotional language is short lived. For some the gift is placed down quickly only to open the next one to receive a greater or lesser reaction. Most gifts bring only temporary satisfaction. Sometimes because a person receives a gift they look forward to more and more and more; therefore the satisfaction quota is hard to fill. Because the quota is so hard to fill, the gifting process becomes an event they don’t look forward to. After so many years the gifting becomes a duty, an obligation an ok I’ll do it because it’s expected event. It’s done without any more feelings and the pleasure of giving has been hidden.

One may ask the question: How do I re-birth my gifting? How do I return to being jolly for the season where I could sing Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la again with joy in my heart? I first should look to the greatest gift to receive. The greatest and best gift should be given to you first; that is the gift of Salvation. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior the ultimate gifting. Accepting the gift that was given to the world during the birth of Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. God gave his only begotten son as a gift to us to take away the sins of the world. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift that keeps on giving throughout eternity. It never loses its ability to satisfy the hunger of our souls. It manifests itself through having an intimate relationship first with Jesus and then those who we encounter during our lifetime.

As you give your loved ones a gift this year and not only at Christmas, consider giving them the gift of communication. Make it a habit to talk and interact and fellowship with them. Become more active in their lives and allow the same for you as well. Give them the gift of presence being there when necessary and when needed but also just because you care and want to be there for them. Give them the gift of touch. A handshake, a touch on the shoulder or a hug to show you’re special to me. Give them a touch of warmth just because you’re you.

Think of other ways you can give not only in material things but in ways that will always bring about fond memories when others think of you. Gifting is very important and the reasoning behind it as well. Let your gifting be a blessing to the receiver and then pass the goodness on to those who you encounter during your life.

SPW

12-06-09