P - Presents vs. Presence

It’s no surprise to anyone that Christmas has become a very materialistic holiday. Beginning as early as Thanksgiving Day and continuing all the way through Christmas Eve, people all over the world are shopping for the perfect gifts for their friends, family, loved ones, and maybe even strangers in need. According to an article I read on Investopedia, the average American spent $935.58 on gifts in 2016, and the expected average spending on Christmas gifts this year is $967.13. Uffda! This (not so) startling fact peaked my curiosity about why we spend so much money on gifts every year. Sure, it’s to bring people happiness and show how much we care about them, but there’s got to be a reason behind the act of gift giving itself. I’ve always known that the custom of giving and receiving presents had some connection to Jesus, but I wanted to know more about it, so I did some digging!

To put it simply, the custom of exchanging presents is to remind us of the presents given to Jesus by the Wise Men. The Wise Men gave Jesus gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, and each gift has a special meaning:

Frankincense was a perfume used in Jewish worship and, as a gift, it showed that people would worship Jesus. Gold was associated with Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. And, last but not least, Myrrh was a perfume that was put on dead bodies to make them smell nice, and, as a gift, it showed that Jesus would suffer and die.

We all look forward to the exchanging of presents on Christmas, especially the kiddos! It’s a tradition that brings everyone together, puts a smile on our faces, and fills our hearts with joy. While you’re sitting around the Christmas tree with your loved ones surrounded by torn wrapping paper, empty bags, bows, and shiny new presents, try to keep in mind these two important messages:

Be Present: When you receive a present, BE present. Think of the person who gave it to you, the thought that went into it, the means it took to buy (or make) it, and above all, acknowledge and thank the gift giver. One of the best presents you can give someone is your presence, so take time to reach out to those around you, thank them for their present and/or presence, and ask how they’re doing. This time of year can be hard for a lot of people, and while presents are fun, people are more important.  

“Love the giver more than the gift.” –Brigham Young

"When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling one love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special." –Catherine Pulsifer

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season: While gift giving is a fun tradition, not everyone has the means to buy presents, and that’s ok! The present that matters most is the one that God gave freely to us all 2,000 years ago—Jesus! Jesus is the real reason for the Christmas season, so when you’re thanking your family and friends for the gifts you’ve received, or simply for their presence, don’t forget to thank God for His gift of Jesus—the greatest gift and reason for it all!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” –John 3:16

"Above all, love each other deeply..." –1 Peter 4:8

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!