Christmas Gifts

It's that time of year, and let me tell you right off the bat ... this has been one of the more difficult Christmas shopping years for me. So much sleepless nights, struggling with online shopping, sneaking around while everyone is home, and creating contingencies for presents not arriving by Christmas. I'll be glad when it's over.

For this week's spiritual thought of the week, I'd like to dive in a little deeper into these gifts, and hopefully avoid the usual "reason of the season" post. Yes I know without Jesus, there is no Christmas, but I'm assuming you already know about that, and I'm trying to explore new aspects and views of Christmas.

I often get stressed out about choosing gifts. Though this year was pretty bad, every year always has the research, and the working with a budget, and trying to create an experience our kids will enjoy -- which is almost a science in and of itself. Sometimes I wish, with all the stress, that the gift giving would just go away, and then we could all just relax, and maybe think about Jesus more. (Wait -- I said I wasn't going to go there.)

But, that's what some people choose to do. Some Christian denominations don't even practice Christmas because it puts something above God. Some can "see through all the hype" and "see that it's all a scam to sell lots of cards and toys."

But here's something to consider ... one of my favorite scriptures ... D&C 29:34: "Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual." In its full context, it's talking about temporal vs. spiritual matters, and we learn that they are one and the same to the Lord. And I believe this includes Christmas gifts.

I have very fond memories of my Christmases as a kid. It was something very important to my mother -- to provide memorable events of joy and peace. To her it meant showering us with gifts. I only came to learn well afterwards that this meant going into debt and lots of stress. And I don't think any of my kids have had a Christmas anywhere near what I got, but that's okay. It was my mother's way of showing love. She loved the look on our faces when we opened a present and said, "No way!!!" One of my favorites was Carl Sagan's COSMOS book -- and a few other cool science-related toys.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to having fun with the family, and fun memories. It's not so much the gifts themselves but the joy of giving and enjoying the happiness they bring. As for receiving gifts, sometimes they become part of my daily arsenal of things I use, and sometimes they end up in a pile that I'll get to one day. But I cherish the love that went into them.

As for the commercialism and all that, I don't think it's all that bad. I'm happy to help the economy. Any unused presents eventually get recycled -- donated to other families or Goodwill. Sometimes I do get annoyed with commercials and some people going way over the top, or taking advantage of the season to sell low-quality toys at high prices. 

But then again, a good dose of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special always helps there. Oh ... but wait ... people can no longer watch it for free because Apple TV+ just swiped it up. Dang -- commercialism strikes again. (And I said I wasn't going to go there!)

Okay, I tried -- but I guess Jesus just keeps coming back. He is the reason. But gift giving can always be a good way to celebrate what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago. Don't be afraid. Make someone else happy. 

I've never regretted it. Every Christmas night when it's all over, I always feel peace that I never want to end.