If you have read
this blog, you may have come across my typical late November post about what I want for
Christmas. I would list several
things, and typically, I would get one or two each year. Then, one week before Christmas, I would
edit the post and remove the items.
Some think that is mean, others never knew it was there, while some think
I should just tell them what I want.
But what about gifts at Christmas?
It is easier to imagine celebrating Christmas in the
modern world if you think about giving gifts. But, have you ever thought to
yourself, “Why do we give gifts at Christmas?” In some ways, the tradition of
giving gifts at Christmas is very ancient. In other ways, giving
gifts at Christmas is a relatively new development.
In the Christian religion, the practice of giving
gifts at Christmas is traced back to the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
that were given to the Christ child by the three Magi. The magi were kings from
the East, wise men who traveled a great distance following a star to find Christ's child and bring him gifts. The visit of the Magi to the Christ child
was initially celebrated on the Feast of Epiphany on January 6th.
Over time, giving gifts became
more associated with Christmas than with Epiphany. In the Church calendar, the period from
Christmas to Epiphany—from December 25th through
January 6th—is recognized as the “twelve days of Christmas” from the old
Christmas carol.
Indeed, the ancient Church did not
“celebrate” Christmas as much as it “observed” Christmas as a holy day. It
wasn’t until the modern era that giving gifts to loved ones at Christmas
became increasingly popular as the Middle Ages ended and the modern era began.
Various countries and peoples began to make gift-giving a regular part of the
holy day (or “holiday”) over some time. By the time the Americas were
settled, giving gifts at Christmas was practiced by many of the settlers. The
early Dutch settlers to America introduced St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, to the
new world. In contrast, the early French and English settlers were more likely
to give gifts at New Year’s or Epiphany.
Ultimately, a shared Christmas culture developed in
which gifts were given on Christmas. In the nineteenth century, gift-giving took on new dimensions, as the works of O. Henry, Charles Dickens,
and Thomas Nast helped shape our concepts of Santa Claus and other
aspects of the holiday.
Today, we all give gifts at Christmas for our own
reasons. For some, it is a way to celebrate the Christian holy day. For others,
it is a special time to let family and friends know you care by giving
gifts. At times, giving gifts at Christmas becomes almost mechanical and a
chore; when this happens, it is worth stepping aside for a few moments to
consider why you give gifts at Christmas.
So what good
is it to tell someone what you want for Christmas? I believe Christmas is not about gifts but sharing human
love and friendship. I recently
went to visit my father, and when I left to return home, I told my sister that if he dies
tomorrow, at least I know he will die happy. Giving another human happiness is much more than any gift
you can purchase, and it is not easy.
Each year, I
become more troubled about this tradition.
This year, I need something on my Christmas list you can purchase. Here is what I want:
- My father to find peace with all the things he regrets
- Addie Grey to find happiness and stability
- Get back on track emotionally and physically
- After having two children, my niece finds a promising future and then has a worthless father.
- My Girlfriend’s daughter to be safe as she prepared for her first child
- For people to smile and help a neighbor shovel the driveway
You get the drift. Be kind to all you
meet and yourself.
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