Amidst the Christmas preparations and the final week of school, I found myself preparing gifts for the teachers. Writing out cards of appreciation and baking chocolate orange cookies, I was focused on giving to others. And after an appointment in the city, I did one last round of shopping for a few presents for our children and the cousins. Genuinely, I love preparing gifts and cards for others.

I don’t expect presents or cards myself, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I received a lovely Christmas card from a school mum who wanted to bless my day. It is wonderful when we can bless others just because we care and equally when we receive blessings from others.

This same week, I answered the door to one of our sweet elderly neighbours who brought around two chocolate Santas, one for Anna and one for Luke. This sweet woman is in lots of physical pain most days with her health, but despite her challenges and bravely walking up the icy road, she chose to bless our family. Joy and kindness are what I love especially about Christmas giving.

Unknowingly, I can find myself busy in December with sending off Christmas cards, baking cookies, wrapping another gift for the family, and yet, I can be losing sight of Christ at Christmas. We all can. But every time I hear the Christmas carol, “In The Bleak Midwinter,” I pause to reflect on Christina Rossetti’s words:

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.

Christina Rossetti

Without fail, these lyrics shift my perspective and re-align my focus back to why we have Christmas at all. God loved us so deeply that despite all the flaws of mankind, He chose to pour out His mercy on us anyway. He chose to give us His precious Son, Jesus, connecting with us on such a personal level.

Of all the many people on our lists to give gifts, cookies, cards, and charity money, may we be reminded today that God gave us the greatest gift of all—one that we did not deserve. Let us remember to give our hearts, attitudes, and hopes back to God this Christmas. May everything that we do to show our love for others, be a reflection of God’s tremendous love for us.

What can we give Him this Christmas?

Our hearts. Our thoughts. Our efforts. Our time. Our everything.