Gifts
of Spirit
“On
the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...”
English
Christmas Song
Right
about now, it's getting pretty hectic in houses all over the world.
The lists have been made and revised, checked off and added to.
Everyday, when I take the ebay shipment to the post office, there are
long lines of people waiting to send gifts off to far-flung places.
We're struggling to find time to get those cookies baked for the
office party and cards written to the folks we won't see this year.
The Christmas crazies are in full swing. You couldn't pay me enough
to to get me into a mall today. I know there are people who get into
the spirit of gift giving, who truly love all the hustle and bustle
of shopping and wrapping and giving. I celebrate you, whoever you
are.
While
we are all in the mood for giving, lets consider some spiritual gifts
as well. How about the gift of wonder? How about we take time to find
small things in this world that inspire us to awe. Now that all the
leaves are down, for instance, you can make a study of seedpods. Have
you ever noticed how many different kinds of seedpods there are and
all the ingenious ways they have for delivering their seeds? Children
love this sort of exploration. There are many wisteria vines in my
neighborhood, and you can hear the long bean-like pods pop from a
block away. They shoot their seeds as far as fifty feet around the
main vine. And yesterday, when I was bringing in the recycling bins,
the bottom of one had tiny maple 'wings' in it that had twirled there
on the wind. From small to large, seeds are miracles of nature.
How
about the gift of undivided attention. Children and spouses
especially appreciate this one. You could commit an hour of your time
each day, or twice a week, to giving someone you care about your
presence, rather than your presents. Non-distracted listening and
sharing are two of the rarest gifts you can give to anyone. And, most
of us appreciate the gift of tenderness; of hearing how much we are
appreciated and loved just as we are. The gift of joy is in short
supply this time of year—bringing a happy countenance to any
gathering lightens everyone's spirit. And, finally, the gift of peace
is the most touted and least evident of the season. Finding ways to
provide a safe harbor, a peaceful home is a treasure beyond compare.
In
a few days, the earth will have its moment of equilibrium, and then
begin the slow and steady tilt toward the sun. The days will grow
longer and brighter in the northern hemisphere. But, right now, in
our days of longest darkness, let us be the light for one another.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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