Wednesday, December 05, 2007
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT
Gift-giving can be a challenge. On the one hand we are pushed to consumerism by advertising that purports to tell us what people want. On the other hand it is easy to be influenced by what we ourselves would like - so we think our gift recipient would want it, too.
But the best gift is the one that shows we truly know the person and have focused on them. It is a gift he or she really would enjoy, but even more, it shows that we have been paying attention and took the time to think about them. So rather than another scarf, tie, shirt or blouse we get, arrange or do something that really says "I know you and I care about you." And, ideally, expense is not an issue.
That is what God did and is what we celebrate in the Christmas story. He gave us a gift that is exactly what we needed and wanted (even if we didn't realize it ahead of time) and he spared no effort or expense. When boiled down to the simplest component, what God did was give of himself. And that is what every loved one desires in a gift.
But the best gift is the one that shows we truly know the person and have focused on them. It is a gift he or she really would enjoy, but even more, it shows that we have been paying attention and took the time to think about them. So rather than another scarf, tie, shirt or blouse we get, arrange or do something that really says "I know you and I care about you." And, ideally, expense is not an issue.
That is what God did and is what we celebrate in the Christmas story. He gave us a gift that is exactly what we needed and wanted (even if we didn't realize it ahead of time) and he spared no effort or expense. When boiled down to the simplest component, what God did was give of himself. And that is what every loved one desires in a gift.
