Reflections on Gift Giving

by Lelanda Lee

Life is full of transitions. Some transitions are celebrated with joy like graduations, weddings, and births. Other transitions grab our attention unexpectedly and turn our world topsy-turvy like job loss, serious illness, and death. For most of us, it is our family and friends that are the balm and aid we rely upon when too much life happens all at once . . . . We thank God for the presence of caring beloveds. We thank God for St. Stephen’s Church that lifts us up in prayer and reminds us that we are not alone because God is always with us, as are our fellow church members. 

As the year-end religious and cultural holidays approach, in many cases our attention will turn to gift giving. Our children will look with excited anticipation at what they might receive. Some of us will embrace affectionate thoughts of loved ones while we ponder the perfect gift for each person. Others will feel sad that we won’t be able to give as much as we would if we could. Some will grieve the loss of beloveds who have walked on. Others will lament we no longer live the life we used to live. 

So many things on our minds and filling our hearts. Love, loss, yearning . . . gratitude, charity, sharing . . .  hope, guilt, grieving . . . So many “feels” over such an intense few weeks!

We church members talk about the coming season of Advent that leads into Christmas in terms of expectation and preparation for the arrival of the ultimate best gift of a baby sent to do the impossible deed of redeeming the world. Whew! Read that sentence again. That is one heck of a best gift ever on which to reflect. 

We currently live in times we view as out of the ordinary. Yet, human needs and desires continue and lead us to hope for respite around the corner. I invite you to ponder with me the single gift that you most desire for yourself right now. Is it a job for an unemployed loved one? Or restored health for someone who is ill? Is it the chance to celebrate holiday gift giving in person? What are the things that must change in order for you to realize this greatest gift that you wish for yourself?

I invite you also to ponder the single gift you could give that would make others’ lives better. Would it be a gift of money or time? Would it be a gift you give in concert with others? I am reminded of the oft-told meme of how every beauty pageant finalist wishes for the gift of world peace. The follow-up question, which is often left unasked, is how will we make that wonderful gift happen? How much sacrifice will you and I offer to make everyone’s life better?

In this Stewardship Season at St. Stephen’s we have been focused on Holy Habits of Generosity. It’s been inspiring to hear the stories of generosity told by Jennifer and Brian, Zac, Kay, and Scott at our Sunday Morning Prayer on Zoom. Generosity is perhaps just a singular word that encompasses how we live our love by sharing who we are, made in God’s image, and what we have been given through God’s Grace. 

The Christian Church—the Body of Christ—is the living story of God’s people and how we follow Jesus’ commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us. Perhaps—think about it—a very special and achievable gift that we can each participate in giving, is to support the blessing that is St. Stephen’s Church. What we give to support the mission and ministry of our parish church is about how we share the Good News of God in Christ, which we promise to do in our Baptismal Covenant. Is there any better gift to our neighbors than to share the story of God’s saving Grace through the gift of Jesus Christ?