It's Christmas, a time to celebrate the gift of love that God gave to us when the Word of God took flesh and walked among us.

Gift giving is the way most people celebrate Christmas; even unbelievers are caught up in the exchange of gifts. But for believers,
there is a deeper significance in the exchange of gifts.

When God wanted to express love for us, God didn't give us a thing, but rather a Person, the One whom we call Son God.

 God became one with us, so that we could become one with God. In the exchange of gifts this Christmas, we do well to remember that persons are gifts.

‘Persons are gifts, as least Jesus thought so. He prayed "Father, I want those you have given me to be where I am.." I agree with Jesus.. And I also want those whom the Father has given me to be where I am.

Yes, persons are gifts which the Father sends to me...wrapped! Some are wrapped very beautifully! They are attractive when I first see them. Some come in very ordinary wrapping paper. Others have been mishandled in the mail. Once there was a "Special Delivery" Some persons are gifts which come very loosely wrapped; others very tightly. But the wrapping is not the gift! It is so easy to make this mistake...it's so amusing when babies do it. Sometimes the gift is very easy to open up. Sometimes I need others to help. Is it because they are afraid? Does it hurt? Maybe they have been opened up before and thrown away! Could it be that the gift is not for me?

I am a person. Therefore, I am a gift too!

A gift to myself first of all. The Father gave myself to me. Have I ever really looked inside the wrappings? Afraid to? Perhaps I've never really accepted the gift that I am... Could it be that there is something else inside the wrappings than what I think is there?

Maybe I've never seen the wonderful gift that I am.
Could the Father's gifts be anything but beautiful?

I love the gifts which those who love me give to me, why not this gift from the Father?

And I am a gift to other persons. Am I willing to be given by the Father to others?

A person for others.

Do others have to be content with the wrappings?..never permitted to enjoy the gift?

Every meeting of persons is an exchange of gifts.

But a gift without a giver is not a gift.

It is a thing, devoid of relationship to giver or receiver of the gift. Friendship is a relationship between persons who see themselves as they truly are.

Gifts of the Father to each other for others... brothers or sisters! A friend is a gift not just to me, but to others through me... When I keep my friend.. Possess them, I destroy their "Giftness" If I ‘save' that persons life for myself, I lose it; if I lose it for others,

I save it!

Yes, persons are gifts, gifts received and gifts given.. Like the Son. Friendship is the response of persons-gifts to the Father -Giver. Friendship is Eucharist!'

Merry Christmas to you and all you love and care about.