Pilgrimage Ponderings
Still Pondering This One
We live in a culture of excess. There is no question in my mind about this. And in the Advent and Christmas season, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. This is my dilemma.
I believe that the Incarnation, the coming of the Christ child into the world, and the heart of the Gospel are all about extravagant love: God's extravagant love for all of creation, including all of us humans and what we perceive as our less-than-loveable selves. And I know that one way I have learned about this sort of love is through the extravagant love of my parents, particularly as expressed in their joyful giving at Christmas time. Even today, they shower their children and grandchildren with presents, large and small, with just the right balance of whimsy and celebration.
When I was a child, we even got socks and underwear wrapped in a present under the tree. My husband has always been mystified at my family's Christmastime effort at making a present even out of ordinary things. And I am truly thankful that I learned growing up the blessing of receiving gifts and the joy of giving of oneself to others.
But when I traverse the mall, heavy-laden with packages and fight the traffic to get home, exhausted, I can't help but think about how focused our society is on the "stuff" rather than the giving and receiving. It seems we are a people of nouns rather than verbs. I do try to be thoughtful in my giving and offer something that the other person will appreciate, but when push comes to shove, I know that I'm going to give a gift, any gift, rather than give nothing because I couldn't find something useful or meaningful.
And I guess that's where my internal conflict starts. Because shouldn't giving at Christmas reflect the nature of the gift we have received in Jesus? And isn't this ultimate gift a gift of God's self to us? So what can I teach my children at Christmas about Christian giving, about giving of ourselves in a way that brings life and joy and healing?
I'm not ready to give up presents. They have taught me something important about how to receive God's grace in my life. But I can't help but think that they can't be the whole story. And that's the part I'm still working on.
Joseph: Hey, socks under the tree are always welcome! :) (12/21/06)