…Freely you have received; freely give (Matthew 10:8)
Christmas as we know it, a brief apology. I will start honestly. I adore Christmas time and I believe the following is self-evident. Christmas items should show up on store shelves in August, homes should be decorated November 1, Christmas trees should be cut by hand, snickerdoodles are a primary food group, it is never too early to watch A Christmas Story, and Santa Claus is real (I am certain St. Nicholas prays for all children to have joy). How could anyone not love a time of year in which Nat King Cole has relevance once again? As Scrooge’s nephew relates, “Christmas has done me much good”.
I state all this as it might color my personal bias. Yet here I stand: gift-giving is a powerful form of Love. All human action has an air of ego and sinfulness. The Bible does not deny this, “you being evil know how to give good gifts”. But making the effort to know a person and choose the right gift to brightens his or her day is transcendent, as it is a reflection of God’s Gift to His children.
Our Father is the Giver of all good things, we do not own anything; we simply hold it in this life. Allowing things to pass through our hands that they may bless others is a divine act. Christmas especially is a time in which gift-giving shines, as we remember the Love He freely gives. Some do say that it is corporate marketing that compels us to buy. I say God bless them for reminding us of our duty!
It would be unwise to spend more than one can afford, but one should spend right to the last penny in the Christmas budget. Above this please do not feel guilty! We will overdo it. We will forget someone or something. We will most likely feel selfish. Odd is it not that the Gift we are remembering is our redemption before God?
Merry Christmas!
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