My Christmas Gift

I don't think many of our true loves are waiting with bated breath for a partridge in a pear tree this year. but I do know a one-size-fits-all gift that would be absolutely thrilling for EVERYONE on your list: the gift of yourself. Unfortunately, this most PERSONAL "gift" is very expensive, for it requires large expenditures of our precious, but dwindling, natural resources. TIME. CREATIVE ENERGY. EMOTION. It would be far easier to give everyone two turtle doves and be done with it. Christmas list finished!

This doesn't mean that we don't want to give of ourselves during the holidays. Actually, that's what we're desperately trying to "DO" (but fall so short of accomplishing "IT"). Obviously, we're not doing it very well. This is why many of us end up feeling depressed, overwhelmed, discouraged as we pack away the ornaments. How did Christmas slip out of our grasp, AGAIN "this" YEAR!

Because we were holding too many "things" at once: obligations, promises, should-dos, conflicting commitments. "Oh, sure, no problem" is the first indication of th discombobulated mind. First thing: excuse yourself from every evening meeting and supposed "important phone call" which are all time robbers. Only accept social events you REALLY want to attend, not ones out of "obligation" for "business appearance sake"...(you know the ones with fake friendly smiles).Your absence might be noticed any other time of the year, but trust me not during the holidays. Everybody's focus is as scattered as yours. You'll NOT be missed.

Now about those gifts. All those bright, pretty baubles blowing your budget are only "symbols" of the gifts you really long to give. So this year why don't you try to give them THE RIGHT STUFF... INSTEAD OF JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS?



ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I gave my true loves:
the GIFT of MY Undivided Attention.

ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I gave my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Enthusiasm.

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of all "my" Creative and Loving energy.

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Simple Seasonal Pleasures.

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Tenderness.

ON THE SIXTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Good Cheer.

ON THE SEVENTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT OF "my" Honor.

ON THE EIGHTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Attentive Communication.

ON THE NINTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Heartfelt Listening.

ON THE TENTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" Awareness.

ON THE ELEVENTH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT in "my" Peaceful Surroundings.

ON THE TWELVETH Day OF CHRISTMAS, I gave to my true loves:
the GIFT of "my" expressed Joy .

Be ready at all times for the GIFTS OF GOD, and always for new ones.
Be ready at all times to give those you love the SIMPLE ABUNDANT GIFTS
OF SPIRIT. If you do, they'll give you gifts you never forget, happy
smiles, and contented hearts. And you won't have to exchange them.

Reminiscing back over the best Christmas Stories I've been blessed to
partake in, I come to realize this morning the REAL role of "gifts" in
all the Christmas Stories. those "gifts" were wrapped in miracles, which
is probably why we can't find them at malls, or on-line Cyber Monday sales.

One of the fist gifts was of Spirit: unconditional love. Then, a smile crept on my face as I remembered Christ, His gift was selflessness, the complete surrender of ego and will needed to bring down Heaven to earth. Another smile, as I remembered my "foster" son Ryan back years ago, His gift was trust and faith, and as I stare at this Angel he somehow scrounged up money and bought for me...Its an Seraphim's Angel Of Mercy...I still have some 15 years later. This child brought forth forgiveness. Wholeness. Second Chances. the angel gift reminded me of tidings of comfort, joy and peace, the reassurance that there was nothing to fear, so rejoice. Over the years, many gifts have been presented to me: "generosity": which resulted in lumps in my throat and tears in me eyes. Gifts of compassion and charity: a warm, dry, safe place for a homeless one to stay, my best Tommy Hilfilger Jeans given to cloth her until after Christmas shopping can come, a shared meal on Christmas day filled with cheer.

Now, thinking back 2000 years ago, 3 kings from the east traveled many hot, dusty miles following a bright star in search of a Royal Birth. The sage's divination foretold the coming of The KING of KINGS; on their camels backs were treasures with which to honor his arrival. but when they arrived in Bethlehem, they found the newborn prince in a cow stall instead of a palace. The shocked Wise Men unwrapped gold, frankincense and myrrh, But their REAL "gifts" were wonder, acceptance, faith, and courage. they offered wonder by surrendering logic, reason, and common sense. Accepting th possibility, they suspended skepticism long enough to double cross the insane King Herod, frantically searching for the child who would change the World, and time. With courage, at the risk of their own lives, The Wise Men helped the young family escape to a safe haven in Egypt.

Oh yes, Christmas is all about GIFTS. Nothing but GIFTS. But such "gifts"! Gifts tied with heartstrings. Gifts that surprise and delight. Gifts that transform the mundane into the miraculous. Gifts that nurture the souls of both the giver and the given. Perfect "gifts". Authentic "gifts". The gifts of SPIRIT, a frightened girl, a bewildered sweetheart, The Child, the angels, the shepherd boy, the inn keepers wife...The gifts of the Magi.

Unconditional love. Selflessness. Joy. Peace. Reassurance. Rejoicing. Trust. Faith. Forgiveness. Wholeness. Compassion. Mercy. Second Chances.Comfort. Generosity. charity. Wonder. Acceptance. Courage. Grace. Honor. Love. Hope.

To give such "gifts" to TRULY "open our Hearts" to receive such gifts gratefully. And to think that Christmas just won't be Christmas without any presents under the tree...