It was my father’s tradition to open presents on Christmas Eve. It was also the tradition that the Christmas story and prayers were shared before any presents were opened. While I loved the Christmas story, I still felt a bit impatient to get on with the presents, especially if the prayers were long. My father maintained that from a very young age I could quote from memory the Christmas account while pretending to read it from the Book. I do not remember that ability, but I do know the story fascinated me. Reading the Christmas story before opening gifts was (I am sure) my father’s attempt to keep the Christmas focus on Jesus’ birth rather than the gifts and wrappings. I guess to an extent it worked. We still wish to be sure our focus is on the meanings behind the pageantry, but we all know the joy of giving and receiving.
Would Christmas be more meaningful if we eliminated the gifts? I don’t think so. God’s great gift of his Son rightfully inspires us to give to those we love and beyond, to the world in need. Because we have been given much, we too must give. Anything less feels less than grateful. The best gifts are those which involve giving a bit of ourselves along with the object we wrap in pretty sparkling paper. Handmade gifts, thoughtful gifts, gifts with attached memories are the best. They may be inexpensive or quite expensive. What really matters is their intent and thoughtful connection. Did the gift we gave really express the love we wish to express? Is it in some small, limited way the same kind of love that God expressed in sending his own to be one with us?