I personally know a family whose most meaningful Christmas truly embraced its spirit. [In 1986 this family thought of a needy family in their congregation that was struggling just to survive.]

The parents and their two children discussed together how to help this needy family have a happier Christmas. They decided to forego things that each had wanted and instead to buy special gifts for the members of the needy family.

While all were very enthusiastic about doing this, the children were the most excited of all! They eagerly set themselves to the task of obtaining the very best gifts possible for each person, imagining the joy it would bring to the one who received it.

Once the gifts were chosen purchased and wrapped, the final task was delivering them. The gifts would be given anonymously. The receiving family would never know from whom they came. They were simply an expression of Christ’s love.

A friend who owned a parcel service personally delivered the packages, without a sender’s name, on Christmas Eve. For the needy family, it was a simple act of selfless love in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Both [families] knew again the overwhelming joy of [Christ’s] presence.

Christmas celebrates God’s Indescribable Gift to us. When we give to others out of love for Jesus Christ, we meet Him anew.