Giving versus Getting

The holiday season makes me think about three things, and in this exact order: Christmas music, Christmas trees, and Christmas presents under said trees. I love to hear my favorite songs when I’m walking around town perusing sales, ice-skating in Bryant Park or just taking a look at all the gorgeous decorations in my neighborhood while I sip on some hot chocolate from Starbucks. The smell of a 6-foot Christmas tree greets me every time I open the door to my apartment, and the angel sitting on top reminds me of what Jesus has done for me. Then I think about all the presents under the tree.

I’ve bought half of them and wrapped all of them, since my mom is lacking in coordinated creativity. The gifts are either wrapped in bright, colorful paper (no pink though, I hate pink) or gift bags with beautiful patterns of silver and gold. These gifts were meticulously chosen. My mother and I have been thinking for months about what to get each other and my two sisters. Our sole motivation for the weeks of concentrated preparations? The simple joy on a loved one’s face when she sees a gift she didn’t even know she wanted. The wide eyes, the sparkling smile – it’s priceless.

Being able to cause a moment like that for someone who means the world to you is not something trite and phony. You can believe me because I’m not going to tell you that giving is better than receiving, but receiving just isn’t as good without it. My mother came here to New York City when she was four years old. Her mother didn’t work, her father barely spoke English and she had six brothers and sisters. They went to school wearing hand-me-downs and shoes with holes in them. There wasn’t always enough to eat. As a single mother she worked tirelessly to make sure she I did not have the same experience. And that was just the beginning.

Each Christmas we went with our church groups into the neighborhoods in which she grew up, and which I never visited otherwise. Out of all the gifts I received she made me pick a few to give away, to children who wouldn’t have received anything otherwise. The looks on their faces always stayed with me. I didn’t know those children, but I loved them. Ultimately, Christmas is about love. It’s about God’s love for us, which enables us to love each other. I wish everyone the very best love season yet.

-Vanessa is a blogger for The Sorbate. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.

Related Links

Walmart Charity Effort, The Daily Tell

Reconsidering Holiday Traditions, Seattle PI

America's Tallest Christmas Tree