Better to Give

Every Christmas most people hear the phrase "It is better to give than to receive." I know that when I am sitting down with my family and we are all watching each other open presents. I love to see their face light up when they open the gift from me, but I also know that when it is my turn to open a present I love it even more. So, I think "maybe they are both good but I still like getting presents more than giving them". But then I remember the best part of my Christmas this year. It all started on Christmas Eve. My mom wanted my Dad to build a manger because our old one was well old. So my dad and brother went out and built a manger out of spare wood and used some moss for hay, and the baby Jesus from the old manger. It looked great! Not long after they had placed it outside with lights and all, a man came to our door looking a little embarrassed. He told us he needed some money so he could give his Kids a Christmas, so could he work for us? My Mom invited him in, and had my dad come to speak with the man. The man told my Dad that he had lost his job of 11 years and had to get a temporary job. He had lost his house and were living in an apartment not far from us, and the money he was making just made ends meet. My mom and I had a hard time not crying when we heard this. We had all those presents under our tree, none of which we needed. And this man had nothing to give his family. I asked him how old his kids were, and he told me he had a nine year old daughter, a six year old son, and an 18 month baby. I ran down to my room and grabbed some old fashion Polly's that were in nice shape, some necklaces I was going to give away, and my bible from when I was 12. My Mom and Dad gave the man an advance (since it was getting to late to do yard work,) and some food for a Christmas meal, and a few gift cards. As the man was leaving he mentioned his wife was Persian, and my Dad said he hoped she would not be offended because there was a ham in the bag of food. He looked confused for a moment (just as I was) and then told us she was raised Muslim but converted to Christianity and has been reading through the book of Ephesians. Then he was gone. He probably thought we had given him a lot, but to us it was him who have us much. God gave us that opportunity and we all agree that is was the best part of Christmas for everyone in my family. My Dad had also asked the man if he had gone anywhere else and why he had decided to come to our door, and he replied that he had not gone anywhere else, but he felt God tell him to go to our house. My Mom says it was the manger, and you know what… she was right, because Christmas really is all about the Baby Jesus, and he helped both of our families this Christmas. For the man and His family they received the gift, and we gave the gift, but they also gave us a gift, ( they allowed us to be blessed by giving), and we received a gift, ( the blessing of giving). So, I think that it is not so much that giving is better than receiving, but that when a gift is given in love, both the giver and the receiver receive a gift: giving and receiving become one. Next Christmas remember when you and your family exchange gifts that no matter who opens the gift both are receiving, one the joy of giving, and the other the gift itself.

Happy New Year!

 

Joelle Lucas