The real gifts of Christmas

As we leave Christmas behind, we often reflect on how we perceived it. If you are anything like me, we look to see if we achieved what we set out to do. For me it was how can I show love to those in my life and practice the spirit of love and giving. This is a difficult task given the materialistic world we live in, how do I be giving without being overly materialistic, and on the same note how to be less materialistic without being cheap?? Especially when there is not a surplus of monetary fund’s to begin with. Well I tried given baking to most friends relatives and neighbours, presents of materials to the very closest, my significant other and step-daughter I attempted to fill their immediate material needs. This was not so difficult in doing with the wife; however the step-daughter, now there is a different story, a young teenager where all the material brand name stuff is so important at that age. Well without going to the poor house I believe I faired okay. Yes I would have liked to give more materialistically to my loved ones as well as close friends, however it was just not in my means. As well as the fact that Christmas is not about the materialistic, it is about the spirit of giving and brotherly love. However when I do have the means I love to indulge in the giving, and I make no apologies for that. I love the feeling you get from the expressions on some ones face when they get an unexpected present. As well as the look when the gift has been chosen to the desires of the intended recipient. However that being said this year I received three of the best gifts that I have ever received, I had left the area where I spent most of my recovery just about three years ago. However in the last couple of months we have been spending time there and renewing some old friendships. Well in the days leading up to Christmas we traveled to our old town to deliver some baked presents. As we visited one dear friend and her family, we had occasion to go on the deck and indulge in a cigarette when this beautiful soul of a lady informed me that she was really grateful and happy that we had renewed our friendship and how special it was to her. I could tell how heartfelt this statement was to her. It touched me very deeply inside as this lady does not give out superficial compliments or genuine statements. For her to say something like this so freely was a rare gift. However my elation was not to end there. Another mutual friend also came by, one with whom I had an estranged friendship with which was also simultaneously being renewed. This wonderful young spirit, informed me how glad she was that we had renewed our friendship and that I was instrumental in showing her unconditional love and friendship and some guidance in her early days. Though I do believe that she gives me for too much credit in her recovery (for I was just an instrument of God at the right time) it was still so touching for me to hear the sentiment and love in this statement. I was overwhelmed. Yes I said three gifts, not that these where not very dear and special to me. They were given by dear friends and as such a little bias and clouded in the compliment as we are dear friends. I know that I probably see my dear friends better than others and I believe this may be the case in how they see me. This however no less diminishes the honour I feel from their words. However the third of my great gifts came from the words of my step daughter. She was out doing some last minute shopping with the wife; after they had gotten home we were discussing some family matters, when my wife told her daughter to repeat to me what she had said to her. Well to shorten the whole story a little, what she repeated was that her best Christmas ever was when she was in grade six, and she came and spent it with me and her mother. As in her words it was one of her best Christmases because, I said something like” we were going to do a real Christmas, we did the whole tree thing together and watched Christmas movies, went to midnight mass, and to me just did the whole family thing, To which we have tried to continue, and too which she still likes, (teenager has totally gotten her yet). These gifts nothing of a material nature involved, were/are my favourite. The things money can’t buy. Is this truly not what The Spirit of Christmas is all about? To me I will always have those treasured memories that only time will fade a slight bit, however will never tarnish or be broken or lost.
Remember God does not create garbage