GIFT GUIDE

Why do we give gifts?  I am not referring to the example of the Wise Men, but instead, why do you give gifts?  Is it an obligation, is it reciprocal, is it tradition, or is it a visible confirmation of love?  There can be many reasons why we want to give a gift.  

It is the time of year when the WWW is inundated with "THE PERFECT GIFT" suggestions.  Amazon may be the "King of WWW advertising".  It stands to reason they would use the WWW as their method of advertising heavily since this is the vehicle for buying from their site.  Occasionally  I will start to browse their offerings, but quickly grow bored and move on.  Yes, I do my fair share of Amazon buying.  Since I seldom go into a retail establishment these days, ordering on line and shipping or pick up are my go to.  Unlike many--I take no delight in shopping.  YES---there is a variable cornucopia of ideas and suggestions for gifts you might give.  At this stage of my life, I ask my children to NOT get my anything else to deal with or someday transfer ownership of.  I have given away houses full of stuff with all the moving I have done.  Truly--I am trying to keep it to a minimum now.

What I think is the secret of gift giving is something which we know the receiver will love.  I listen to those I give gifts to and try to give a gift I have heard them mention.  My children got together one year and bought me a coat they had heard me talk about.  I was too tight to spend the money myself and had a coat that would suffice, but they picked up on my "want" and made it happen.  I considered knowing they were actually listening to me part of the gift.  My daughter took me on a special trip for my 70th birthday.  I had always talked about going to New York, but had not made it happen.  She planned it all, and we saw LOTS of New York and 3 plays in 3 days.  I have enjoyed more birthday lunches than I can count.  The gift of time is HUGE in my book.  SO, when thinking about "what to give" this year---depending upon the person a trip, an event, time spent together over lunch or dinner is always a no fail option.  

When we look to Jesus for ideas of what to give---He definitely spent time with others.  He listened, He broke bread with them, and He shared His wisdom.  He gave us the ultimate gift of personal sacrifice so that we might be with Him eternally.  What an inspiration---one we could never equal---but we can think beyond the material and consider the gift of time---in any form or fashion.  What portrays love more?

"God's gift is eternal life

given by

Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23