The best Christmas gifts

The

best Christmas gifts can't be put in a box

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Christmas

is all too much about "what you gonna, get?"

Well, I hope that someone, somehow, will give you some of

the most wonderful gifts of Christmas.

I hope

someone will give you unconditional love. That is, you

don't have to jump through any hoops, say the right

words, or even behave in the right way. Someone loves you

in light and spite of who you are. Unconditional love is

a gift without preconditions or post-conditions. It's

something you can use all year, especially when your

performance review at work is nothing to brag about.

If you have

not given your children nor spouse this gift, how about

right now. Put down the paper, find them amid the clutter

of the tree, hold their hands, and tell them, "I

love you no matter what!" That will be the best gift

you will give.

I hope

someone will give you the simple joy of just being home.

Home should be a refuge, a safe haven, a protected harbor

where you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you are safe

and comfortable. And it can only be given. Have you given

your kids the joy of being home: not on their case about

their room all the time; not always judging the way they

eat; making the home for them a place of encouragement

rather than criticism? Can your spouse really relax in or

out of your presence at home.

I hope

someone will give you some gratitude for all that you do.

You know, a feeling that carries the words, "Thank

you for...," and "I really appreciate you

because...," and "You mean so much to me and

here's why...," and "I don't know what I would

do without you because you...."

Gratitude

is an intentionally given response. Too often we teach

children that gratitude is a reflex rather than a

thoughtful response. For example, mother gives child

candy bar and says, "What do you say?" Child

learns to say, "Thank you." Gratitude

eliminates the feeling of being taken for granted. So,

give someone this very day your thoughtful, more than a

quick "thank you," expression of gratitude. Use

no less than 35 words.

I hope

someone will give you some thing that you wanted and did

not need. I love to get pajamas and underwear and

handkerchiefs. I need those things. But then, when I'm

given some thing I want but don't need, that says,

"You are special." Isn't it a super feeling

when someone gives us that?

Well, let's

suppose nobody will give you any of my suggestions.

Everybody is mad at your house. Why don't you start it?

Won't cost you anything! Besides there's a law that says,

"Give and to you, it shall be given..." Merry

Christmas. Truly, the best Christmas gifts can't be put

in a box.

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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