Being grateful not greedy

 Being grateful not greedy…

So often I hear that Christmas is about giving gifts and not receiving them. Whilst that is true, I think it often overlooks the beauty of getting a gift, whatever that might be.

Even Jesus was grateful for the gift of expensive perfume despite what others around him said. He appreciated the gift and it's significance probably more than the gift itself.

I think this is best demonstrated when a child gives a gift. My 6 year old daughter doesn't have any money, or access to it (I remember once we were in Poundland and she picked a mother's Day card up for me, but didn't know how to pay for it, so I did!) So if she gives me a gift, whether that's a rock, a leaf or even a grape I am really pleased to receive it, because it means so much for her to give something away. It might not have any worldly value or even mean anything to anyone else but it was so important to her, and she chose to give it to me.

I'm not expecting gifts this year for Christmas particularly. It's been a difficult year for everyone. So when I do get a gift, even if it is not what I want or need, I'm going to try and remember to be grateful for it.

Behind the gift I'm given and the gifts I'm giving, is love. Someone loved me enough to give me something. They spent time and thought as well as money on me. I wouldn't refuse any of those things or be ungrateful for them, so I'm going to try and remember to do the same for anything I receive this year.