As the Christmas season approaches, we think about giving presents to those who have a special meaning for us. Usually that includes family and friends who we love and want to thank for being in our life. This is not a new custom nor is it particular to the United States. There are those who believe the giving of Christmas presents dates back to the gifts the three Wisemen brought to Jesus: frankincense, gold and myrrh.
Frankincense was a perfume used in Jewish worship and, as a gift, it meant that people would worship Jesus. Gold was associated with kings, and some people believed that Jesus was the King of Kings. Myrrh was also a perfume, but it was put on dead bodies to make them smell nice and, as a gift, it showed that Jesus would suffer and die.
Since presents are gifts given with love, what is the greatest gift ever given to mankind? God gave us His son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
The giving of Christmas presents is a worldwide custom that varies from country to country but is based on a uniform foundation. Most children believe there is someone special who brings them presents at Christmas time. It may be Santa Claus, St. Nicholas or Father Christmas. In Germany, it is the Christkind, in Spain it is the Wise Men and in Italy it is an old lady called "Befana."
Presents are also left in different places depending on where they are delivered. In the United States, it is in a stocking by the hearth, if there is one, or it may be beneath the Christmas tree. In many European countries, children put shoes or boots out to receive their gifts.
Presents are also opened at different times depending on where you live. The earliest arrive on St. Nicholas Eve, which is Dec. 5 for the children of Holland. For youngsters in Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas Day comes on Dec. 6. For us and for those in the UK and Japan, Christmas Day is Dec. 25. However, patience is required for the children of Spain and Mexico which are Catholic countries as they must wait until Epiphany, which falls on Jan. 6.
Regardless of when, where or to whom Christmas presents are given, part of the fun is in what it is and how it is wrapped. If you are comfortable using a computer, Youtube has a video presentation with several unique and colorful wrapping ideas that most of us would never have thought of. There are multiple other choices if you just Google search "wrapping Christmas presents."
However, there are some gifts that can be given at the Christmas season that don't require any of the above. These are the gifts of love, kindness, caring and sharing God's message. And what better time than when we celebrate the birth of His gift to us -- His son, Jesus?
We celebrate Jesus' birth and death, but it is how he lived his life that is the true gift. If we love others as God taught us, what greater gift can we give? It is in His name that we celebrate the Christmas season, but we know in our hearts that we can give His gift to others every day of our life. And it is my prayer that we do so, each and every one of us.
Merry Christmas and God bless you, everyone.
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Jan Burgess moved to Bella Vista in 1995. She considers each day a gift -- although some are more fun to open than others. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 12/07/2016