Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
25 December 2022
The concept of gift-giving communicates something very important in life, says Major Phil Inglis. Photo: Cristina Baron
As a kid, I was a terrible materialist – an advertiser’s dream. I desperately wanted the most and the best presents at Christmas.
Every Christmas season, I would pester my poor parents for this LEGO kit or that train set, a brand-name surfboard or a particular model radio-controlled car. Every year, my endlessly patient parents would consider my requests and purchase gifts.
On Christmas Day, my sisters and I would wake up at some ridiculous hour and do our best to convince our parents to let us open presents before we headed off to church. My little sisters were particularly effective in rousing my parents, and we opened our presents with incredible excitement and joy.
Unworkable logic
Have you ever wondered why we give gifts at Christmas time? What is it about the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago that results in us giving our kids and each other gifts?
For a time, I assumed we gave gifts to each other at Christmas time because the wise men in the Christmas story gave gifts to young Jesus. The problem is that the logic of this doesn’t really work. Surely the example we have from the wise men should result in us giving gifts to Jesus, not to each other.
So why do we give gifts at Christmas time? Why did my parents work so hard to give us gifts?
When I grew up and had my own children, I began to understand the whole idea of gift-giving in a different light. Suddenly I was buying the presents that my kids were pestering me for. Why did I do that? What did I think it had to do with the Christmas story?
The answer came to me from Dr Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages. In this book, Dr Chapman suggests that there are five basic ways humans give and receive love – physical affection, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service and gift-giving.
The book is an interesting read and can give some helpful insights into the mechanics of a relationship, but I was drawn to the concept of gift-giving as a vehicle for the communication of love. All people, to a greater or lesser extent, feel loved, appreciated and affirmed by being given a gift.
The more meaningful and thoughtful the gift, the more effective the communication of that love. This really rings true to me as I give to my kids because I want them to feel my love for them.
Reflection of love
This is nice – giving gifts to communicate love is a worthy pursuit – but why at Christmas time? We can give gifts any time of the year (and often do), but Christmas has a special focus. Why is that?
The answer lies in pretending for a moment that we are God. God, in coming to earth, in being born into the world that first Christmas, was giving a gift to the world. God’s gift to the world is ultimately God’s communication of love, affirmation and affection for humanity. It is a gift that has resulted in joy and love for billions of people worldwide.
When we give gifts at Christmas, we follow God’s example in attempting to communicate love to our friends and family. Each gift we give at Christmas reflects that ultimate gift. Each gift reflects that ultimate love, affection and affirmation.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, we hope and pray that you know love, affirmation and acceptance this Christmas Day.
Major Phil Inglis is a Salvation Army officer in Victoria.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.