A Christmas Lesson

It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Christmas of 2008 started with an unusual twist.

Our four children woke up to only four small wrapped gifts under the tree, one for each. Our five year old, we call “Candy man” squealed with excitement when he opened his box of candy. Our seven year old son loved toys thus he received a toy car. He looked at us unsure of how to react. Our youngest daughter, twelve, unwrapped a coffee mug with a note promising “tea talks” at her request; she stared at us in disbelief. Finally our firstborn daughter, seventeen, opened her gift of mechanical pencils she requested for school and she immediately burst out crying, exclaiming, “oh no, we’re poor!” Our other daughter joined with her own sobs of disappointment. Our children’s hearts had grown more accustomed to receiving at this most sacred time.

My husband and I gathered them into a big family hug. Now we had their attention! We taught them Christmas is a day of giving more than receiving. It’s not a day of selfish indulgence, but rather of showering love on those we value. We explained, God our Father, showered the world with His gift of love that first Christmas when He gave His all, His Son-our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

God blessed our family with a Christmas lesson learned! He reminded us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Our plan worked and we surprised the kids with a scavenger hunt for their other gifts. They received them with smiles and hearts of gratitude.

Thank you Father for your gift to the world of peace, joy and love that far exceeds any material gift we could receive especially at Christmas time.

© 2012 Danielle Martin Moffett