Gifts from the Heart
What makes a gift meaningful and of great value? Is it the amount of money we spend on the gift? Is the amount of time and effort we spend fighting the shopping mobs to grab the gift? I think most people would quickly reply a resounding “No!” to both of those questions. Rather, most would agree that what makes a gift meaningful and of great value is the thoughtfulness of the gift-giver and the selfless manner in which the gift is given. Yet, each holiday season we spend countless hours battling the crowds and hitting the sales, while simultaneously spending a small fortune on generally rather thoughtless and meaningless stuff that will soon be forgotten. So, why this glaring disconnect? Maybe we need to take a step back and take another close look at the importance of giving of ourselves in our gift-giving.
Lessons from “The Gift of the Magi”
In O. Henry’s classic Christmas tale, “The Gift of the Magi,” we read of the heartwarming and somewhat tragic story of Della and Jim, a very poor young couple seeking to find each other the perfect gifts for Christmas. We learn of the great efforts that each take in thoughtfully selecting a gift with both personal significance and one that would show an individual touch of love and admiration for their companion. Additionally, as the story unfolds, we further discover the extraordinary efforts that each make to financially procure the desired gifts, despite their suffocating poverty — Della selling her prized beautiful hair to obtain funds for the perfect gold chain to accompany Jim’s watch, and Jim selling his precious watch to pay for striking hair combs to highlight Della’s gorgeous hair.
Della and Jim both provide an excellent example to us of what it means to truly give. In each case, they spent months contemplating, planning, and searching for that one gift that would surely provide joy to their partner. In each case, the couple respectively gave up their own most prized earthly possessions in order to provide a thoughtful and meaningful gift for their loving companion. Ultimately, in each case, they thought more about giving the prefect gift, rather than receiving the perfect gift.
Christ’s Example of the Greatest Gift
In addition to the timeless lessons learned from “The Gift of the Magi,” we have another, perfect example of selfless giving. In the New Testament and Book of Mormon, we read of Christ’s dealings with the people. We learn of the many tender encounters with the socially, spiritually, and physically needy, with Christ’s powerful spiritual teachings, the many healings, and the setting of a perfect example of righteousness and how to return to our Heavenly Father. In all of the various accounts of his life provided in both ancient and modern scripture, we learn of Christ’s selfless nature, his pure motives, and his sincere desire to serve others whom he loves.
As Christ’s ministry on Earth neared its close, he suffered in Gethsemane for all of our sins, trials, pains, and infirmities. The tide of political and public opinion turned against him and he was forced to suffer the indignity and injustice of secret illegal trials, the torture of physical scourging, the dishonor of public ridicule and humiliation, and ultimately the pain and anguish of being nailed to and dying on the cross for all mankind. Yet, despite all of this, Christ freely and willingly gave of himself in preforming the Atonement, as well as throughout his entire life, never thinking of himself, but always more concerned about those around him. In this way, Christ provided us each with the priceless gifts of the resurrection and the atonement, while additionally providing the gift of a perfect example of selfless gift-giving.
Giving of Ourselves in Our Gift-Giving
As we give this holiday season, let us try to apply the lessons of the two examples above and strive to give more of ourselves in our gift-giving. Let us spend more time and energy focusing on the needs and wants of others. Once more, let us carefully contemplate ways in which we can further sacrifice of our own means, time, talents, and possessions in serving and giving to those around us. If we can commit to this approach to giving of ourselves, not only will we be able to avoid much of the mass commercialism that permeates around the holiday season these days, but more importantly, we will be able to touch the lives of others in lasting and meaningful ways.
