Unopened Gifts

As the gifts sit beneath the tree, we think of the anticipated joy we hope they will bring on Christmas morning. If it is your practice to celebrate such a tradition, many of us will have chosen gifts with love and care for those dearest to us, hoping to make them feel special. But as the gifts sit under the tree waiting to be received, we can only manage our expectations.

These unopened gifts are reminders of much else that remains unopened, untapped, and underutilized for us. We think of the team member at work who sits in her cubicle, plugging away day after day, never reaching her full potential. We wonder about the kids in the neighborhood who languish in the long summer days and ask ourselves if they want to volunteer some of their time. We look to friends in our faith community who dare not explore their spirituality out of fear.

Those gifts, so many of them, which will remain unopened unless they are given and received, are many. Might we be inspired this season to offer others the gift of offering themselves, to gift their very selves to the world. For does this not remind us of the reason for the season?