Christmas Gifts—A Blessing or a Distraction?

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

~Acts 20:35

What do we do with society’s gift-giving extravaganza at Christmas? It’s Jesus’s birthday, but the presents under the tree are the real focus, especially for the kids. The first is unwrapped and then another and another, faster and faster. The scene resembles a school of sharks going into a feeding frenzy. Almost instantly the thrill is gone and the room is filled with crumpled wrapping paper even though it took so long to wrap them all.

Rather than following the Grinch and eliminating the gifts, our family set rules to make them more meaningful. First, we try to select at least some gifts or stocking-stuffers that will help people develop their relationship with Jesus: books, CDs, videos, Rosaries, etc. Then, on Christmas morning before we go to the tree, we gather at the manger, sing a carol, read a brief scripture, and thank God for Jesus, the greatest gift of all. Then we open one gift at a time, with everyone paying attention to what others get (this teaches patience!). And we don’t open everything on the twenty-fifth. Rather, we leave some presents wrapped and under the tree for the other eleven days of Christmas (another lesson in patience!). We get more prayers, readings, and carols around the manger this way.

So we have three options: (1) just acquiesce to society’s way; (2) say “bah-humbug!” with Scrooge; or (3) take the traditional Catholic approach and press the custom into the service of the Gospel. I say Catholics have more fun.

Jesus, you are the greatest gift of all. Let us honor you by giving  of ourselves.

To Ponder: What can you do in your family to make Christmas gift-giving more meaningful?
~ Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio

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