Christmas gifting has taken a huge turnaround for me since I was a child. Then, as an only grandchild and child for the first eight years of my life, I became used to finding a huge pile of presents with my name on the gift tag. It felt like my due. However, reality began to surface as time went on and one brother and then another entered the scene of my mother’s second marriage.
As the years went by, I eventually began to realize that gift-giving was a two-way street, and I reluctantly signed my name to gifts purchased by others to be given to family members. I think I must have been in my later teens before I took on the job for myself.
It wasn’t until motherhood that I really began to appreciate the art of providing Christmas presents for my husband and children. My kid’s little faces would beam in anticipation and then glow as they tore into their gifts on Christmas morning. Somewhat more subdued, my husband showed his appreciation for the usual socks and ties with at least one coveted treasure to unwrap. I loved the cute school “mom gifts” from my children. Later on, they matured into more independent and wiser gift-givers who discerned a wish or need I hadn’t known I had.
Now, as the family matriarch, I find myself most excited about the giving part. After all, in my mid-seventies, I already have most everything I could probably need or want. I especially enjoy making gifts or receiving these treasures. Since I started painting class several years ago, I’ve had fun making projects to fit the needs/desires of friends & family.
This year, my favorite gift I gave was a wooden train I painted for my daughter. Not that she needs a toy for her own playtime, but for her students in her school resource room. The train had a car which held little gumdrop-shaped forms that I painted in a variety of colors with alphabet letters on their bottoms. The black engine had numbers printed in white.
The Bible tells us it’s more blessed to give than receive. I don’t now if this is what motivates me, or just the excitement of producing joy in one of my loved ones. To see their delighted faces as they open their gifts brings me satisfaction.
I imagine God feels the same way as He watches our response to the many gifts, He bestows on us. Is our reaction what is appropriate, or are we too spoiled to appreciate His blessings? He knows exactly what we need and just what will make us smile.
Of course, the very best gift He gave us came on Christmas day in the form of a very small person wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manger. Christ is the best gift we could ever have, and He is free for the taking. He will not break, disappoint, or be the wrong size or color. Accept the best Christmas gift and you will enjoy Him forever.