Christmas: "The Spirit of Giving"
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
December 25, 2008 6:02am CST
I often hear that Christmas and Santa Claus are "The Spirit of Giving". When I was growing up, I used to hear it differently. Back then it was "The Spirit of Giving and Recieving".
The change happened, at least from my memory, because somehow Giving is a virtue, but Receiving is something bad. I remember teachers and other adults correcting kids who put the "and receiving" part in the definition.
Somehow we have turned gracious receiving into something we're supposed to be embarrassed over. Gracious receiving used to be a lesson kids were taught right along with proper grammer and being polite.
How do people react to receiving a gift now? "Oh, you shouldn't have", "oh, why did you"... the proper response to receiving a gift has degenerated into making the giver feel uncomfortable for even thinking of doing such a thing.
There is nothing wrong with being an anonymous giver, but we have come to the point in our society that anything less than anonymous giving somehow has to have some kind of ulterior motive attached. Does a giver really deserve accusations of ulterior motives?
The fact is, you can't have one without the other. If there is a giver, then has to be a receiver, or the gift is pretty pointless.
The Spirit of Christmas giving comes from Christ's gift to all who would accept it. He didn't do it anonymously, but He also had no ulterior motive to offer the gift. To look on a Christmas gift with anything less than gratitude and thanks is to show contempt for the spirit in which is was given.
This Christmas, be as gracious in your receiving as you are in your giving. After all, it takes both for a gift to occur.
4 people like this
4 responses
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
29 Dec 08
[b]Wow. You know Ted, this is something I honestly never once thought about, & you're absolutely right!
I'm going to strive for this, now that I'm aware. Thank you! And Merry Christmas!
Maggiepie[/b]
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
25 Dec 08
I always thought that the giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas was because of the gifts the Wise men gave to the Christ child. I do not like the idea that we all have to give and not get anything. Or better expressed to feel guilty when we get something. After all, it comes as a surprise. Now I do not like the idea that we all have to be appreciative of the gift or go jumping up and down saying "just what I wanted?" but a simple "thank you," would do when it might not and usually is something you would never use, just like that Bunny suit in the Christmas Story, you can just bring it out when they are there.
But to feel guilty about receiving something you really wanted is wrong. I do practically jump up and down and if one of the gifts were a Cuisinart or my favorite movie Sense and Sensibilty, I would be doing hand flips if it were possible. 
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
25 Dec 08
You're right. Christmas is giving. Being generous is good and receivers should be grateful too. There are people who give gifts to gain favors, the correct motivation should be there when giving gifts. The acts is good when the motivation is good. Merry Christmas.
@CarlKnittel (692)
• United States
1 Jan 09
AMEN
I have family members who, because of finances, prefer to reserve gift giving for children and grandchildren with siblings and cousins getting cards or something. They seem to get upset when others in the family continue to give them gifts anyway. It's as if we were demanding a gift in return. Why can't I give someone a gift without expecting something in return? Why can't others enjoy the gift without making me feel wrong for giving it? I Like getting gifts but I love giving them and I especially love finding out what someone really wants and getting it for them.
