A meaningful Christmas

By now as a parent, you have probably heard multiple times (or multiple times a day) what your child is going to ask Santa for this Christmas, and they’ve probably circled about every toy in the Amazon Christmas catalog that they send to your house (which has to be about the only thing with 2-day shipping anymore). When thinking about Christmas as a child, I’m sure there were plenty of things that I wanted Santa Clause to bring me, but I simply cannot recall anything specific.

Although I don’t know whether I asked for it or not, I do remember the Christmas that my brother and I both got bicycles. It was a Christmas miracle that year that there was no snow on the ground and the weather was warm enough that we rode out on the street for hours until we left for grandma’s and grandpa’s house. When I was young, the gifts that I wanted seemed to be very important at that time. I’m sure my parents struggled as they tried to teach “it is better to give than to receive,” but receiving seemed pretty good to me.

One tradition I remember that helped me understand this principle a little better was going to Billings on Christmas Eve to shop for gifts to buy for our siblings (it was a different time back then). Again, I don’t remember a whole lot about the gifts I received. I do remember going to the dollar movie as a family. Also, we went to the dollar store by what used to be Gart’s Sports, and I would buy a box of Nutty Buddies for a dollar. Then we would go to the mall and other stores and look for a gift that we thought the other person would like. The day ended up being long, but when we got home, we would wrap the presents and give them to each other that night.

I remember being excited not only to see what you would get but also excited to see if the person whose name you had liked the gift you got them. We would then go to bed, and under the tree there were a few presents kind neighbors had brought. When we woke up the next morning after Santa came, it seemed like presents were everywhere. It was the magic of Christmas. Again, receiving is really good, but what about that good feeling that comes when you give to others? Maybe there is something there.

On my mission to Perth, Australia, my last Christmas was about 15-20 days before I was to return home. It was my second Christmas away from home. Wonderful people invited us to join them in their Christmas celebrations. As you can imagine, their celebrations were a little different from those which I was accustomed to. Instead of sledding, people were swimming in their backyards. Instead of ham or turkey they would barbecue lamb chops and lamb sausages (only good when burnt to a crisp and with lots of ketchup) among other things. One-hundred-degree weather instead of freezing temperatures.

That Christmas, however, is one that I will always remember. We went to the Abrahama household. I don’t remember what time we got there, but the children waited for us to arrive before they opened their presents. Two children, two gifts, one for each child. To our surprise they had gifts for us. I don’t remember the exact number, but there were probably three to six for each of us. As per their instruction from their parents, they were to wait for us to open our gifts before they could open theirs. We tried to protest but gave in, not wanting the children to have to wait much longer to open their gifts.

As we unwrapped our gifts, I could tell how excited the children were to watch us, and their joy was apparent. They had gotten us souvenirs which may not have cost that much, but in that moment, I felt their value (a widow’s mite). After we were done opening our gifts, the children each unwrapped their gift. Again, the happiness in that one gift was apparent, and no one complained about the lack thereof.

There we were with our multiple gifts and they with their one … joyful and content. I truly recognized the Christlike sacrifice and felt the love of the Abrahamas that day. The children exemplified the saying “It is better to give then receive.” The simpleness of this Christmas experience touched my heart and continually reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas.

“Fear not: for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

I am grateful to live in a community that is so giving. If you feel that something is missing from your Christmas celebration, consider the value of simplifying with the added focus on the reason for the season. In the busyness of the season may we remember the ultimate Gift that was given to the human family, Christ the Lord.

Remember the purpose of this special gift. Remember the humble circumstances into which our Lord and Savior was born. Remember the promise that His life gives us. And remember the Giver of that most precious gift, God our Father. May the joy of this season come to you, and I wish you a very meaningful Christmas!