Skip to content

The Gift

“No gifts this year” seemed the rational proclamation, since all of us acknowledged we had every necessity in excess; much more than we required, and everything we wanted beyond what we needed.

This yearly policy was clearly stated, and yearly the rule was ignored or broken, the gifts wrapped, and placed under the tree bound up with its sparkling bobbles and chains.

But this Christmas our privilege seemed more pronounced, and the needs of others seemed more keen – so many without house or home, and we with so much.

The holiday mantra was therefore revised: “only re-gifted items please ” which seemed a reasonable compromise. So the presents were chosen, decorated and distributed without great ceremony or expectation.

But I must admit, with a touch of guilty joy, when I undid that unassuming package, I loved my gift. I could not tell why, but it gave me great delight.

After the bubbling stovetop vessels ceased their chatter, the puddings slowly steamed and hidden fruits gratefully consumed; after the golden-roasted bird was suitably slurped, the wine bottles drained, the glittering papers dutifully recycled and the requisite carols harmoniously cooed, our re-gifted gifts were packed up and almost forgotten.

That starry night, I turned my little gift in my hands and wondered why it pleased me so much. It was not valuable or rare or sought after – in fact it was a bit odd. The magic of the gift was in the giver – and that the giver knew me. It was the proof that I was known, understood, and accepted with all my faults and foibles.

That was the gift.

10 thoughts on “The Gift”

  1. A beautiful reflection of our Lord’s gift to us – “the magic of the gift was in the giver – and that the giver knew me. It was the proof that I was known, understood, and accepted with all my faults and foibles.”

    Thank you for this beautiful reminder.

  2. Ohhhh, that is the best gift. To be loved and understood for you…nothing else. Not what you can give to them. Not for what you can do for them or anything else. Just you. There truly is no greater gift. Such a blessing <3

  3. Re-Gifting

    I think therefore
    I am
    I sing therefore
    I am
    I am therefore
    a gift.

    A gift of life
    a gift from life
    a gift with life

    A life flawed, fragile, fabulous and fantastic
    A life that glows and yearns and embers burn
    and burst into constellations
    of blazing bright stars

    Sparkling gifts for all
    indeed
    Bright gifts of life to a world
    in need.

    Steph, you are
    A glowing gift to a world
    in need
    A glowing gift to us all
    indeed!

    Happy New Year!
    Pattie K

  4. After a frenetic post-Christmas trip to Greece with my choir, followed by a week of fighting ear and eye infections, finally got to read your post, and it is a balm for me this morning. Thank you Stephanie.

    1. The “Greece” part sounds wonderful, the “infection” part less so! Hope you’re right as rain now. I hope to see you in Edmonton at Podium this Spring!

Leave a Reply to Stephanie Martin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *