Inspired by: The True Spirit of Giving

While I have been sharing lots of money saving or shopping tips to help you get deals when you shop like I do, I wanted to take a time out from that today to write a little inspirational article on the true spirit of giving. 

 

One of the joys of Christmas for me is the giving.  Of course I love receiving gifts as well, but nothing is as fun to me as picking out things I think my loved ones will like, and seeing them open them on Christmas!  It’s such a warm, fuzzy feeling 🙂 With advertisements everywhere, and Christmas “wish” lists, and all of the material side of things, I am inspired by the meaning behind the increased spending/shopping this time of year.  If you look beyond the spending, you will find the true spirit of giving.  Because the true spirit of giving is in what the gifts represent!

 

It’s a time of year when people are less selfish.  A time when we go the extra mile to bring smiles to our loved ones.  Sometimes we make sacrifices, sometimes we really go out of our way to surprise the recipient’s!  When I receive gifts from loved ones, I often think to myself (with gratitude) about the time and special care each person took to think of me-to show me they love me-some even taking the time to create something by hand.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a card, money/gift card, or a present…they all say the same thing.  That someone took the time to care about another.  This to me, is the true spirit of giving.

 

 

When I was in high school I was active in the choir.  One of my most favorite Christmas songs that we sang was called , “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”.  (which is actually a poem made in to a choral arrangement).  It is such a beautiful song about the simplicity of Christmas and the birth of the Christ Child.  One verse in particular has always stood out to me:

 

“What can I give Him, Poor as I am?  

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what I can, I give.  

Give my heart. “   ~ From “in the bleak mid-winter” (by Christina Rossetti)

 

Another quote I have always loved is from a brilliant writer , (Ralph Waldo Emerson):

 

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”

 

Giving is more than just an action.  It’s a heart attitude.  Have you ever felt like the person felt above in that little excerpt from the “Bleak Mid-Winter” song?  This song was referring to the birth of baby Jesus, and how the shepherds had a lamb to give, or the wise men had their expensive gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh, but this person was poor, and had no grand gifts to give.  Maybe that is you this year.  Maybe the budget is a little bit tighter.  If it is, don’t worry .  After all,-What is a grander gift to be given , than a gift of the heart?

 

 

 

When you look under the tree this Christmas, will you see beyond the gifts?  Will you see not just the material things, but packages of love, kindness, and sometimes sacrifice, all wrapped up in pretty paper with bows?  This is what I see each year when I look under the tree….LOVE wrapped up!

 

Will you join me in watching a beautiful, candle lit, choral rendition of this moving song (in the bleak mid winter)?  If you want to take a listen, and can’t see the video below, just click HERE to be taken there.

 

 

What does the spirit of giving mean to you?