Gifting

Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, and it is about thinking, about others, and sharing with others. We all love receiving gifts but we can also observe giving gifts to those who have very little. We can learn to apply what Christ taught us to practice compassion and forgiveness.

There are many stories from all over the world about gifting during Christmas. There is a beautiful Mexican tale about why Poinsettias are gifted during the festive season. The legend is about a young girl, who was very sad because she had nothing to share or gift. She had a bunch of wild, thorny plants to offer to the Christ Child. So, on Christmas Eve, she went with her thorny plants to the church. When she knelt down to place her offering beside the creche, the thorny bunch turned into a lovely bright red flower. Ever since then, the plant whose leaves are considered to be shaped like the star of Bethlehem is known known as Flower of the Holy Night and has been associated with Christmas.

In Ireland families leave a tall, red candle in a front window. It is a symbol of warmth and shelter for the holiday season. It is thought that when Joseph and Mary found no place for baby Jesus, the candle burning signifies, that one is welcome.

In Portugal, families set extra places for those who have passed on Christmas Eve and they are remembered on Christmas day.

Jesus’s teaching of sharing

In Italy, there are two lovely customs followed. Children write letters of love to their parents and giftwrap these up. These letters are placed under the plates of the parents and are read at the end of the meal. On the dinner table on Christmas Eve, other than the feast put out, a basket of bread and a basket of grass, seeds and grains are placed on the table. The basket of bread is to remember Jesus’s teaching of sharing with the poor. The basket of grass and grains is to remember to feed and care for the animals and birds which share the planet with us.

Dear ones, let us practice love, serve and give and we will be blessed.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Samantha Jean on Unsplash

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *