Of course, Jesus is the reason for the season and we should do well to remember that, but I want to focus more on the secular aspects of the holiday.
I teach at a Title I school with children that may or may not have a lot of money in their homes. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way as I adore my students and the interesting things they bring into my life each day.
But at Christmas, being surrounded by the awesome kids I am, I’m reminded what giving and receiving really means. Some teachers get elaborate gifts from their students, which don’t get me wrong, are greatly appreciated, but today I received some things that were so simple and from the heart, I had to work not to cry.
A little girl handmade me a beaded bracelet as well as wrapped me a Christmas card (complete with High School Musical cast members on the front, so for a eight-year-old girl to give up Zac Efron merchandise, well, that means something) she’d embellished with her own drawings.
Simple, but I feel more appreciated by that gesture than I think I have from anything else. The look on her face when I opened it is something I’ll carry with me forever.
Christmas gifts are fun and don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be sad to find an iPad under the tree, but I think it’s important to remember it’s not what you receive, but the thought that goes behind it. This is a time of the year where people tend to get lost in their greed, which forces givers to feel inadequate at times.
We’ve all complained about not getting what we want or laughed at something that was a little strange, but take pause and think about the intent.
Now that I’m a mother, I want to expose my son to charity and help him see what this season is really about. It’s not what you’re receiving that’s important, but knowing that each gift is a sign someone cares. And on the flip side, that taking the time to reach out to someone else shows them that they matter.
Merry Christmas!
