This is a true story that happened in our family years ago.
It is Christmas morning, my parents, both of my sisters and myself are in the family room after reading the Christmas story from the book of Luke and are opening up our gifts. We all take turns opening one gift at a time, moving in a clockwise motion to the next person like playing a board game. I don’t remember how many rounds we made, but some where around the middle my youngest sister, home for Christmas break of her 1st year in college opened up a small box. As she pulled out what was inside, her excitement on her face turned to a horrified shocking look. Tears started falling from her eyes and I will never forget the words and the events that took place afterwards. My sister spoke saying, “Yellow Socks! How could you buy me yellow socks? I have nothing to wear with them and you will never catch me wearing these ugly things!” Of course my Mother speaks up and said, “You need to be thankful for what you get” which just brought out more anger from my sister. So, the fireworks started and my sister ended up leaving and went to her room. Needless to say, even to this date my sister still hears the story of the yellow socks.
This true story represents just one of the reasons why I don’t get excited about receiving gifts. The way I see this story is two-fold.
Number one, the receiver:
When you receive a gift from someone, even if the gift is not your “cup of tea” be respectful and at least thank the person for thinking of you. Nobody is going to force you to use or keep it. Accept the gift with a smile and move on.
Number two, the giver:
When you are giving a gift, think about who you are giving it too. Put some thought into it and pick out a gift that will fit the receiver’s personality. If my parents would have put any thought into the gift, they would not have bought that yellow footwear. My sister at that time was very fashion savvy and bright yellow socks would never find their place in her wardrobe.
I have many other true tales that happened in our house at Christmas time that show thoughtless gift giving and even gifts that were bought for someone the year before being re-gifted and given back to the person who originally gave the gift in the first place. Thoughtless or after thoughts of gift giving in our family, seems to run wild and this is just one of the many reasons why I turned out to be a Grinch at Christmas.
It is sad when not much thought goes into giving a gift to someone, especially when comes from one owns family members. Being disappointed more times at Christmas than I have fingers to count on, I have learned to really focus on what Christmas really is. We sing Christmas Carols, watch the heart warming Christmas programs and still we don’t grasp the full and perfect gift given to us by our Heavenly Father. God knew that in just a short 32 years, His Son Jesus was going to die, be crucified on a cross with the sins of the world put on Jesus’s shoulders. Just to think, that God love’s me that much and gives to me the free gift of Salvation.
The gift of the yellow socks will be remembered in our family for a long time, but the gift of God will change your life if you accept it.