Christmas Is More About Giving
Than Receiving.
It is better to give than receive. We hear it all the time -
especially this time of year. But sometimes I wonder if we really believe it.
We say the phrase as if the generalization is a forgone
conclusion. We print it on bumper stickers and billboards. We teach it to our
children. And we mutter it under our breath when circumstances don’t go as
expected.
But in reality, the axiom is difficult to live out.
Credits:SAlfred
We live in a world that seeks personal gain, even encourages it.
And as a result, we want to make sure the things we receive are equal to the
gifts that we give especially during Christmas.
Christmas is a celebration of love and joy and peace. These are
the greatest gifts we can ever give. But they are often the most
difficult—especially if we have not received them from others.
We dig in our heels. We decide we will offer forgiveness, but only
if they make the first phone call. We will show love, but only
after they sacrifice something. And we may respond in goodness, but
only after they start showing some kindness to us first.
Suddenly, we fall into the same foolish trap believing it is
better to receive than give.
But the themes of Christmas should not be kept to ourselves.
They can only be experienced when given away.
Love - Christmas
is a season of love—a celebration of sacrificing what we have to show
appreciation to those who mean the most. And while expressing love to another
may be the most beautiful thing we can ever do, it can also be one of the most
difficult—especially when those who should love us the most withhold it. Love
anyway. True love is not self-seeking. It keeps no record of wrongs. And
demands nothing in return.
Joy. This world
never allows for perfect circumstances. And those who wait to find joy in them
never will. It is unwise to base our happiness fully on the actions of others.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t bring a little joy into the life of another by
the things that we do and the words that we say. We can still be intentional
about spreading joy wherever we go.
Peace - Family and personal
relationships can cause conflict, turmoil, and stress at any time, but the
tensions are often heightened during the holidays. Offer the gift of peace this
Christmas by taking the first step. One phone call or conversation may not make
amends for years of hurt, but it is still the first step that needs to get
taken by somebody.
Hope - Hope is
one of the greatest assets in the entire world. It is one of the greatest
treasures we can ever find for ourselves. And it is one of the greatest gifts
we can ever give to somebody else. See the good in others. Believe in their
greatest potential. And encourage often.
Reconciliation - At its
heart, Christmas is a story of reconciliation. A baby was born to offer
forgiveness to those who need it most. In the same way, the holiday season
creates opportunity to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to those who
need it most in our lives. We can take the first step. Even before an apology
has ever been uttered, we can lay the foundation for reconciliation that
makes it possible.
Goodwill - People may
desire to harm us, but wishing pain and suffering upon them in response only
compounds the hurt. Harboring resentment, ill will, and bitterness in our
hearts allows their actions to control us indefinitely into the future. On the
other hand, wishing goodwill upon those who hurt us frees our soul. And it
allows us to move on to better things.
These are the themes of Christmas and we should grant them
freely. The greatest gifts we can give during Christmas are the very
things we most desire to receive.
Merry Christmas from the staff at RG
Group of Companies Ltd.
