Giving Gifts

Copyright: 2010 singeronthesand

And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down and worshipped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto Him gifts:

gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

Giving and receiving gifts is an integral part of Christmas celebrations around the world, beginning with the gifts given by the Magi who had traveled for months to see the Christ Child.  These kings from the East gave their richest gifts of gold, incense and rare herbs.

This week in Richmond, two little girls received an early Christmas gift like none other.  The girls were in the library at a local elementary school, making Christmas cards to send to the U.S. troops overseas, when a soldier in military fatigues and combat boots stepped into the room to greet the children.  As little mouths dropped and eyes widened, the children stared at this man who represented the thousands of soldiers overseas who would be recipients of their construction paper Christmas greetings.  For two of the students in the room, however, this was much more than just a local soldier visiting their school  This was their dad – home from a six month deployment to Afghanistan: their father - home for Christmas.

As you shop for those special treasures that will be given to family and friends, is there a gift that you might give to someone for whom there will otherwise be no presents?  A gift of chicks or honey bees through Heifer International?  A mosquito net to prevent malaria through projectmosquitonet.org?  A cleft palate surgery for a child from Smile Train?  Clothing gifts for a child through the Angel Tree project?  A local family in your town who will otherwise not be able to celebrate Christmas this year?  Won’t you open up your heart to someone outside your circle of family and friends this year?  Your kindness will bring great joy to both the giver and the receiver.