The Season for giving

 ( I think it was the Pony Express that had the motto, "the post must get through" Whatever the weather, hail, rain or snow the post must get through...I know that this is an electronic post and is not affected by the snow but I thought the idea might give some sympathy for my lateness in posting today...still having problems with my computer and now my office computer has voted and decided to come out in sympathy....)
How are you getting on with your Christmas Shopping? Have you managed to buy all your presents or are you still struggling over what to buy that special person. There is always one person on your list that is, “difficult to buy for”.

Don’t panic I am here to help. I am easy to buy for anything to do with eating or money. In fact it would seem that chocolate coins would be the ideal present!!!

Seriously though, what are you planning to give this Christmas? When you buy and give presents what are you thinking? What motivates you? We are constantly reminded by the adverts and by the shops, ‘Christmas is the season for giving.’ The cynic in me thinks that this is less to do with their desire to proclaim the message of Christmas and more to do with their desire to boost their sales figures.

I know I am in danger of beginning to sound like Scrooge but stay with me for a few minutes. I am not suggesting that we should not give presents. I love giving and yes receiving presents but perhaps that is the problem.

One of the many legends surrounding St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is that hearing of the plight of a poor family in his village he climbed up onto their roof and dropped some money down their chimney which landed in the shoes or stockings (depending on what version you hear) that were near the fire drying. It was intended to be an anonymous gift with no thought of any reciprocal arrangement. How many of us buy presents because presents are bought for us? How often do use as a measure, “How much do we normally spend on them?” To badly misquote scripture, “We give because they first gave to us”

Now I guess there is much to be said for the arrangement and anything that offers good cheer and good will should be encouraged but perhaps over the years the thought and principle of present giving has been overtaken by the act.

I suggested at the start that I was here to help; so a man of my word below you will find some gift suggestion for this year… What to give?



Your Time: Look for ways to help those who cannot help themselves

Your Love: Give love freely to those who need it most and deserve it least

Your Life: Your life was a gift to you from God; make it a gift from God to others

Your Lord: Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Introduce him to a friend.

(from A Stocking full of Christmas compiled by Mark Stibbe)