The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. (Thomas S. Monson)
On Wednesday’s post here, I shared a beautiful story of how Barbara and her co-workers made a Christmas very special for a down-on-their-luck family. If you missed it, you can go back and read it. I think it will touch your heart. Christmas is a great time for giving gifts without expecting anything in return. If you’ve ever given to a toy drive or bought a basket of food for a needy family or taken a name off an Angel Tree and bought gifts for a child you’ve never met, then you surely know the good feeling that giving brings.Two more stories that readers have shared testify to this.
I shared Connie’s story on Facebook, but that was one of those posts Facebook decided not to let go out to a wide audience. It’s a fun story of how Connie taught her son a lesson in generosity so I’m sharing it again. “The best Christmas I can think about is the one when my son and I chose an ornament from a tree for a little girl. My son who was 13 at the time just rolled his eyes and said, ‘Are you kidding me? I am not going to go down that Barbie doll aisle.’ My reply was ‘Oh yes, you are or no gifts for you.’ He rushed through the rows of doll items but looking back making sure no one he knew was looking his way. When he gave the little girl all he chose, she looked at me with a toothless smile and said ‘You made my Christmas.’ My son is now 25 and will tell you that’s his favorite Christmas.”
Anne also shared a story of giving that let her family have a best Christmas. “One year our family (my husband and I and our four children) filled big baskets with all kinds of supplies for a new baby. Because there were six of us in our family, we filled six baskets and took them to our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. We had such fun! That’s probably one of our most memorable Christmases and the best gifts we’ve ever given a child.”
“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” (Dale Evans)
Candie has a little different story about her favorite gift as a child. “My favorite gift as a child was a box of 64 crayons and a coloring book from my grandfather every year…even into high school my grandfather continued…when he passed away there was such a loss…now we as adults, continue this tradition with our own children in his honor….Rest in peace, Grandfather.”
Sometimes it’s the simple gifts that are the best and the most memorable. All of you are giving me a gift by sharing about your gifts, both those you’ve given and those you’ve received. More stories to come, and remember you still have time to enter to perhaps win that Nativity Set or calendar and one of my books. See the details on my News & Events Page.
As always, thank you for reading!
Comments 7
The best Christmas gift I ever received was my Betty Crocker Junior Baking kit and I still have it ! The cake and frosting mix boxes of course are empty but I still have the boxes and all the other little things that came with the kit. Every once in a while I take it out and look it over and reminisce from all those years ago.
Author
Fun memories, Laurie. Thanks for sharing them with us. I’ll enter you in my drawing.
Ann, Thank you for sharing our story of a favorite Christmas! I’m enjoying reading your fans’ experiences. Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us through your writing. God bless you!!!
Author
So glad you shared your story with us, Anne. Love to see the Christmas spirit in action.
A favorite Christmas memory of mine happened just a few years ago. The Lord gave me an idea, after seeing a leaflet about a missionary in the Ukraine. After contacting the missionary, I asked her if it would be alright if I could knit little mini-stockings for the abandoned and orphaned children in Russia who came under her care. I ended up knitting 80 tiny stockings, and I mailed them to the Ukraine, along with some Gospel tracts in their language, and some candy. I was so overjoyed when I saw the photos of the little boys and girls smiling and holding up their Christmas stockings with candy and tracts in them! Oh, that was a bountiful blessing from Jesus my Saviour. I’m so blessed to be able to have done that, and to spread the Gospel into Russia. Thank You, Jesus!
Author
That was an extra special gift you were able to give, Nancy. Only the Lord knows what grew from the seeds you planted with those gifts of love. Thanks for sharing and for having a generous and giving heart.
Psalm 126: [5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
[6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Mark 16:15-16King James Version (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.