Choose to Give Presence this Year

It's taken a while, but I have fallen in love with Christmas again. There were a few years when I honestly didn't care for it though. I hated the way I felt about gifts. Someone would give me something tacky or thoughtless and I wouldn't really like it (and call it "tacky" and "thoughtless") then feel badly for not appreciating the gift and figure I'm a bad person. What a great way to spend a day designed for reflection on the greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Savior! Once I realized that gifts really can be meaningless, and even given without meaning, I dutifully donated or regifted things appropriately to more meaningful homes. I focus myself more carefully on giving gifts with meaning, or not giving something material at all. I think about how exciting it is to see my gifts received, and not about how I'll feel when I receive something. This year, I hope more of my friends and family will reconsider their holiday traditions, and consider "alternative" gift giving as highlihgted by the advent conspiracy. Its still early enough to do something- so let's do!