Thursday, December 18, 2008

Gifts, gifts, gifts.

Hey everyone, how are you enjoying Christmas? I know for me I've been so busy with school I haven't had much time to enjoy the season. But as it's been slowing down, I've been catching up with being in the Christmas spirit. One of the things that really gets me into the CS is...... well CS! Christmas Shopping! I love going out in the cold and smelling the winter air and then plunging into some warm shop, surrounded by lights and the smell of nearby restaurants. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Being a guy, my taste for this is sometimes ridiculed, but I don't care. I love it. But every now and then I've encountered something that causes me concern. Gift giving can turn into peer pressure. This year a few of my friends have told me that they where getting me a present. In the past I have told those I know that I was getting them a present. In some cases it caused the opposite party to think "Oh, now I should get them a present." In others it has made him or her fell bad because they did not give a present to the one who gave a present to them. Or it can cause the reciever to fell bad because they did get a gift but not as nice as the one they recieved.While it's nice to get each other presents, we don't want it to be a contest or be about fairness. I'm not sure how to solve this problem. Not get gifts for one another? Well we could, but in some cases it can be very building up to get a present from a friend. Make sure to all get presents for everyone? Well then we'd all be broke, at least those who go to CLC. In the end the best thing we can do is, in the case of recieving a present pray and ask God to help us be gracious and turn our eyes away from ourselves and think about what we should've done, and instead turn them on others and thank God for those who gave us gifts. In the case of giving gifts, we pray that God help us to give from the heart and not be offended if someone does not get us something in return. We are not doing it for our glory, but for Gods. Wether you eat, sleep, or give presents do it ALL for the glory of God. That's the best answer I could come up with, anyone think they can improve.

5 comments:

one way up cast said...

Great Post Dave!

yah, I'm having the same feeling. Its hard to give gifts to friends because picking and choosing isnt fun. but even if I can't give my friends a wrapped gift, I love telling them (especially at Christmastime) what they mean to me, what gifts each and every one of them is in my life.

and that means all of you :D

give all you can. everything you have. love deeply and thank God for all of the wonderful gifts in our lives.

Every day is a gift. That is why it's called the present.

Merry Christmas :D

Allie said...

Thanks david :) this is really helpful cuz it really can turn in to peer presure!! this is really helpful =)



and kylie i believe the quote is
"yesterday is history, tomorow is a mystery, but today is gift, that's why they call it the present" ~Kung Fu Panda :D

Elizabeth Kelley said...

Yeah. Presents, also called gifts, are meant to be GIFTS, not "You owe me's" or "IOU"'s. Not that you all consciously think that, but I think sometimes that's the mentality, whether or not we realize it.

You know, every time I think of something to post, you guys take it... boy. Weird... some day I'll think of something... :-)

Anonymous said...

I really needed that, David!
Some of my friends have given me gifts/presents, but I haven't given any of my friends anything! I haven't even finished shopping.

I've been feeling bad, because I never have anyhting for those who gave my gifts. Maybe one year I would get something for them, but the next year I don't have enough time to get anyone but my family anything.

But you are right. Your friends don't expect anything back, and they are giving you gifts because they love you and want to tell you they care for you by giving you a gift.

Anonymous said...

P.S. I'm sorry about my grammar! I'm sick and tired. That is my excuse.