The Gift of Giving

I think, one of the things that most people think about at Christmas, is giving. Earlier and earlier each year, people begin to plan out the gifts that they will buy, or make for family and friends. If I have bought any gifts in November, I feel like I am doing well! With 25 nieces and nephews, plus my own 6 kids, there is certainly lots to think about. Don’t worry though, I don’t buy for all 25! On Calums side of the family, we do a secret santa for a few of the kids each!!

As a child growing up, Christmas was always special. My Mum says that my sister was always the most excitable in the house. She would normally wake us all up around 2 o’clock, telling us that Santa had been. (I think it’s the only day of the year where I don’t struggle to get out of bed.) We would make our way through to the living room, to see what gifts had been laid out for us. My poor mum and dad would lie in bed, listening to our excitement as we shouted through to them what we had been given. They never did get to witness the joy, and surprise on our faces, as we unwrapped our presents!

After I had finished opening all my gifts and devoured a few chocolates, I would choose one present and take it, along with The Broons or Oor Wullie back to bed, to read, until I eventually fell asleep. We would wake a few hours later, with the smell of Christmas dinner being made in the kitchen. (my Mum's Christmas dinners are the stuff of legends, so no pressure for me then 🙈) The house would be filled with visitors, dropping in to exchange Christmas wishes over a cup of tea and shortbread, as Mum worked away in the midst of the chaos!

There was nothing more magical, than at the end of the day, sitting around the tree with only the Christmas lights on, and going over all the gifts that I had received.

As I got older, I discovered a new joy with gifts. As lovely as it was receiving carefully thought out presents, it was actually even nicer GIVING, a carefully thought out gift, to someone else. Even better, if you got to watch their face, as they unwrapped it.

My first experience of giving, was when my sister was expecting her first child, Nathan. We had been together in Ayr shopping, and she commented on a wooden rocking horse, on a display, that she thought would look really nice in the baby’s bedroom. I decided that each Saturday, I would spend the day at the Horse Riding School that I attended, but rather than paying for a lesson, I just watched, and I saved my money to buy the wooden horse. I was so excited, I could have burst with happiness, as I surprised my sister with that gift.

I also remember the first Christmas, after my brother had his first job. He was so excited watching us all unwrap our presents, that he had managed to buy for us.

Funny how these memories stand out far more than any special gift that I received!

Now, for Calum and I, we love to watch the childrens faces on Christmas morning, as they open their presents. The kids take turns to choose a present from under the tree, read the name tag, and then they give it to the person that it belongs to. We all watch as they unwrap their gift. Excitement fills us, as we anticipate their reaction , especially if it is a particular surprise, something that we know they've really hoped for, but not expected.

This year, has been an entirely different year than we ever could have anticipated. However, a favourite quote of mine regarding 2020, was one that said “and the world came together, as the people stayed apart.’ We have certainly seen this happen, this year, as more and more people have united together, to give what they can, into their community.

I like to think that it has brought out the giving side in many people. I have been contacted by more people this year than usual, with food packages for the food bank, or parcels for families in need. During our first lockdown, we were inundated by volunteers, wanting to give up their time, to help people that were needing help, due to shielding measures and furlough schemes. More than ever, the local authorities, and charities, have given out help, financially or practically,to try and meet an ever growing need.

As we celebrate Christmas next week, take a moment to think about the greatest gift that has ever been given. A gift that cost far more, than any gift you could ever buy today. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, not because he was a normal baby, like the rest born that day, but because he is God’s son. His birth, and then death on the cross, offers the gift of life to all men, throughout the world.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

Jesus was born that day, so that one day he would die, and in so doing, bear the punishment for every wrong thing that has ever been done in this world. He willingly left heaven to complete this task, so that we have the opportunity to live a life, free from those chains of sin, and have a right relationship with God.

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”

John 12:46

As I write these blogs, I have become increasingly aware, how hard it is to put into words, the gift that is on offer to ALL men. Today, we are all aware that nothing comes for free, and that all great offers come with a catch. How often do we pass up on ‘free offers’ saying ‘I’m all good thanks, I don’t need it’ because we think there is a catch, or because we are quite happy with our lives. This gift from God, can’t really be described, I can encourage you to give it a chance, find out more about it, but unless you actually experience it you will never know, that it's something you can’t live without.

I remember a few years ago, Calum and I were given tickets for the Ideal Home Exhibition, at the SECC, by the company that was fitting our new windows. Off we went,not sure what to expect, but looking forward to a day to ourselves, where we were free to walk about at our own pace, and have a browse at all the stalls. Some of these stalls, had people standing at the side demonstrating the products they were selling. These always caught our eye, as they made us believe we really needed this product, they would be life changing. Sure enough, we came home with a fancy new mop bucket, that would make washing my floors so much easier, and be much better in dealing with the dog hair. We also had a fancy new squeegee thing, for washing the windows. Calum will vouch that, that was definitely a waste of money, as I rarely wash the windows, and the mop bucket has long since broken and been binned.

The point I’m trying to make, is that we would never have purchased these products, if they had just sat there for you to look at as you walked past. Being able to see them demonstrated and to be able to try it out, made you want it for yourself.

This gift that God offers, needs to be experienced to. No amount of explaining what you are missing out on will convince you. It needs to be seen in action. So this year as you think about Christmas, and look at the gifts under the tree, take more than a moment to think about the gift of God’s son. Make a conscious effort to ask God to show you the meaning of this gift. Find out more about what this gift looks like in action. But most of all decide to accept this gift for yourself.