The philosophy of giving Christmas gifts

My most favorite poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran, wrote an amazing piece, titled "On Giving" which I wish to share with you before Christmas Day. In this extremely materialistic and secularized world today, where giving of gifts crosses the boundaries of bribery and impropriety, his lines are inspiring and uplifting.

He wrote: "You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." This hits me deep because I used to claim credit for giving my parents material gifts and money to pay off family debts. But now, I realize my younger siblings who stayed with them until their dying days gave them the best gifts. Gibran said: "For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And what is fear of need but need itself? I remember the biblical widow who gave her last coin as alm, even when that was needed to buy food for her children. That was the true gift, given even when it hurts.”

Kahlil wrote: "There are those who give too little of the much they have and they give it for recognition. Their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have too little and they give it all. They are the believers of life and the bounty of life and their coffer is never empty." Indeed, I have seen so many rich people who make a spectacle whenever they give donations. Like politicians, they insist that their names be engraved in stone for public acclaim. But there are simple folks who whisper their gift-giving and give offerings in utmost secrecy. They are truly blessed for they know the deeper meaning of giving.

Gibran said: "There are those who give with joy and that joy is their reward. But there are those who give with pain and that pain is their burden. And there are those who give and know not any pain in giving, nor do they seek joy with mindfulness of virtue. They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space." What beautiful thoughts by such a blissful poet and philosopher, and what an amazing grace on the true meaning of giving gifts, where the giver is as blessed as the receiver. "Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes, He smiles upon the earth.”

He continues: "It is good to give when asked but it is better to give unasked. And to the open-handed, the search for the one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given. Therefore, give now that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors." Indeed, not far from our homes, there are so many people who need help, just afraid or too ashamed to ask. The giver should promptly go and lift up the spirit of those who are sad, hungry, sick, or in deep anguish and pain.

Gibran hit us when he wrote: "You often say "I would give but only to the deserving. The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give so that they may live for to withhold is to perish. Surely he, who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream. And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed." This made me ashamed of myself.

Gibran hit the jugular then: "See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver and an instrument of giving, For in truth, it is life that gives unto life, while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness to His eternal giving. And you receivers, and you are all receivers, assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather, rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings. To be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity, who has the free hearted earth for a mother and God for a Father."

What an amazing Christmas message for us all. Therefore, have a giving Christmas then. Give with spontaneous joy and receive with silent gratitude.