a gift...

More so this year than I ever remember before...I have felt that so much of what Christmas has become is retail. I felt it when I stood in line a few days ago at Target...all the lines were open and packed...so for economic reasons I was thankful...then I began to look around at the throngs of shoppers...

...the one behind me couldn't believe all that she was purchasing..."how did this get into my basket?" she asked her mom. She wasn't hateful...but it sounded like forced gift buying.

...the women in front of me was purchasing a bushel of gift cards and the gift bags to put them in...there were around 6 identical cards for one amount and that many x a few for a different amount {I know...I had a lot of time to stare...what else to do as the cashier rings up each card one by one}. Now I know that these cards could have been on her list for many reasons...

...raffle prizes
...service gifts {delivery man, post office, librarian, etc.}
...or even an easy way to give a "fair" gift to all on her list

but I couldn't help wondering if they were the solution to..."I need a gift and

...don't have time to shop
...don't want to make something
...or don't know what they like."

Now don't get me wrong...I prefer gift cards it gives me fun money all the year through!...and this isn't about the gift cards people...hang with me.

Its about the giver {and I'm not at all judging this lady...her situation just got me thinking}...why don't we give this plentiful year around {ok my mom does as most of you know...thats just her love language}, but what I mean is so much seems out of obligation. I overheard a young girl yesterday ask her friend..."are you giving gifts to your friends this year? I just don't want to give a gift and not receive one in return"..."I mean, I wouldn't want someone to be uncomfortable."

{ rambling...I am...but making sense...not sure... }

I'm trying to say is I hope no matter what we give...a craft made by own our hands, an heirloom soaked in history, a gift card to a favorite store, or a "thing" that looks just like them...I hope its all out of love and a heart for giving...

I'm pretty sure thats why Christ came...not out of obligation, or because everyone was doing it {we know this is a farce}, but because His heart...His heart was full of such love for us...just for us. What a gift!