Many think the custom of giving gifts to loved ones at Christmastime came from the Magi giving gifts to the Christ child long ago. I’m not sure. However, giving Christmas gifts has become part of our lives. Unfortunately, some of us get so caught up in creating a perfect Christmas environment by cooking, decorating, and buying the perfect presents for our family that we neglect those gifts that are most valuable – the ones that don’t cost money. Why not consider giving some of the following?
Affection: We shouldn’t need to have a sprig of mistletoe as an excuse to kiss to a spouse or hug our children. What good are homemade cookies shaped like Santa, bells, and sleighs if our family members feel like they are in the way while we are making them? What good is a perfect, color coordinated Christmas tree if our little ones don’t feel wanted? A wink, a smile, a hug, a kiss – these will be remembered long after the cookies are eaten and the tree comes down.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love in honor giving preference to one another.” (Romans 12:10)
Laughter: All the health benefits of laughter are too numerous to mention but here are a few. Studies show laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer. Laughter changes brain chemistry for the better. It lowers risk of heart disease, increases blood flow, and reduces stress. Laughter is contagious so it’s the perfect gift to give to others. Clipping a funny cartoon to share is great. But even better is to find the “funny” in everyday life. So when those little holiday mishaps come – and they will come – just find the humor in a situation. Burnt figgy pudding is not the end of the world. Remember, if you can laugh at it, you can live through it.
“A merry heart does good, like medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22)
Appreciation: Learn to appreciate our differences. Focus on a person’s positive qualities, not what we would consider negatives. We are not all alike. That doesn’t necessarily make some of us better than others – just different. Some of us are organized, some are disorganized. Some are fashion conscious, some are happier in jeans. Some are morning people, some come alive a night. And nowhere are our differences more magnified than in a family environment, so let’s cut each other some slack. Let family members know they are appreciated for who they are. We could even throw in a few phrases like, “You did a good job,” “Thank you for your help” or “I love those jeans!”
“I thank God for every remembrance of you…” (Philippians 1:3)
Time: We only have a certain amount of time. When a day passes that time is gone. We never get it back. If we don’t take the time to create family memories we end up in a Cat’s in the Cradle situation. Just hanging out together as a family is not time wasted. Playing a game, attending a church Christmas program, singing Christmas carols to a CD, watching It’s a Wonderful Life or How the Grinch Stole Christmas on television, making a card for Grandma, visiting Aunt Matilda in the nursing home, or just driving around town to see the Christmas decorations can be some cost effective activities we can do as a family – all together! Ecclesiastes says there is a time for every season. Why not take some time to enjoy this season together? It is time well spent.
“There is a time for everything and for every season under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I guess I’m really talking about the gift of love. Our houses may be twinkling with lights that can be seen in outer space. A plastic Santa with all the reindeer, even Rudolph, may be adorning our lawn. Our door may have four wreaths. We might even have a snowman mailbox that would put Frosty to shame. But everyone knows when giving presents that’s it’s not the box and wrapping on the outside that counts. If our houses are decorated on the outside but don’t have the gifts of love on the inside, we miss the mark – especially at Christmastime.
