Point – Counterpoint
Does Gift Giving Diminish the Reason for the Season?
Unwrap the True Meaning of Christmas
Cookie swaps, Christmas trees, holiday parties, and Secret Santa’s. The mailbox is flooded with holiday greetings. The email is inundated with Christmas “deals.” Jolly Christmas songs play on the radio and parking spaces at Derby Street are nowhere to be found. Sound familiar? Ah yes, it’s Christmas time again everyone!
Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. Christmas is my favorite holiday of all time. We have a whole two weeks off from school, an excuse for some rest and relaxation, family gatherings, and sparkling presents under the tree. Presents are great and all, but I like to think of my father’s two favorite Christmas sayings. 1) “Christmas isn’t all about the gift giving and receiving” and 2) “Christmas is every day”.
So many of us have pondered the question, “What should I get this person for Christmas?” It has been a tradition that is deeply rooted in American culture. However, the Christmas tradition of gift giving has evolved over time from expressing a small token of appreciation to expectations of expensive presents under the tree. When I was younger, I was that little girl who asked Santa for the typical Barbie, clothes, iPod, and even a dog for a few years. It’s very difficult to block this consumer Christmas culture out and understand that these sparkling gifts under the tree aren’t everything. Showering others with gifts can make it difficult for them to realize the true meaning of Christmas. Does a gift really have to be tangible to let others know that you love them?
The true meaning of Christmas, to me, is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of God’s incredible love for us. God created Jesus who would also love us eternally and become our Savior. We must remember that this is the true meaning of Christmas. It’s all about remembering the birth and love of our savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a reminder of God and Jesus’s love and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us when he died on the cross.
You don’t have to give someone a gift to let you know that you love them. Instead of running out to the stores, you should spend quality time with your family and friends and show them God’s everyday message of love. Be thankful for what you have already been given. “Christmas is every day” because every day is a gift. We are so fortunate to already have all the things we need. Gifts are great to give and receive, but don’t forget to unwrap the true meaning of Christmas this year!
Please check out my favorite Christmas song. It is a reminder of the real reason to be thankful this Christmas:
