Here is a true story that touched my heart.
While researching about people who spent Christmas differently, I chanced upon Jenn Miller’s blog. In 2008, she and her husband sold their house, most of their belongings and, along with their four kids started living a nomadic life all around the world. In ‘The Edventure Project’ she writes: ‘Christmas isn’t about the gifts, and those who focus on reducing or eliminating those, or with what to do “instead” really make it more about the stuff in some way… Instead for us Christmas is just a time to do even more of what we try to live out every day of the year… It’s a time to give not just gifts but – Acts of service – Time – Meals – Friendship – A hug – A listening ear – Patience – Grace – Forgiveness.”
To check how it made sense in my life, I made a list of my ‘favourite Christmases’. I realized that I remembered almost no concrete ‘thing’ received. However, relationships, sharing with others, meaningful liturgical celebrations and time spent with dear ones had made some days unforgettable:
- One Christmas meal, my Mom invited us to say how each of the family members was a gift for the others. I don’t remember what was said, but what still remains with me is realizing how precious it was to have each other.
- Atmy 7th Christmas, an uncle took me to the classical ballet ‘the Nutcracker’… I still recall how it made me feel important.
- At my first Christmas as sister, our junior mistress organized a treasure hunting game to find our gifts. The gift I got was only a night gown but I still remember the excitement, the laughter and how being together as sisters warmed my heart.
- A few years ago, one of our choir members took us to a retirement home for the destitute to sing carols. To witness the joy of the elderly ladies was as much if not more a gift to us than our little program to them.
- Last year I was part of the Christmas cooking team. We were tired, had slept very few hours, but somehow the joy of being family, of preparing something special for others gave us a joyful energy.
Why not ask Jesus, the Giver and the Gift, to teach us to give what He gives and give it the way He gives? ‘Present’ means both gift and now. Could it not be that Jesus, the God-With-Us that we celebrate, invites us to be here, now, for others; to give ourselves and our time to others?
And what about the lesson of the shepherds: the ability to see beyond the appearance of the gift—God in a babe born of a poor woman and lying in a manger?
Though we may not be able to leave out completely certain ‘worldly elements’ of Christmas, we can still take steps to keep the ‘Birthday Boy’ at the centre of our celebrations and gifts. What will you do? How will you do it? What kind of gifts are you going to give? How are you going to give them? Will you write more than your signature in the greetings? (We can add a loving personal note to each one write to.) Finally, how are you going to receive whatever comes to you? I wish you a graceful season. In whatever person/way/gifts Jesus comes to you, may you hear ‘his silent steps.’
– Sr. Marie Gabrielle Riople SCSM
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