A Reason for Giving

A Reason for Giving

A Christmas Po-story (poem/story)

By Crystal Malloy

“Christmas is coming!

“Oh, I can hardly wait!

“Christmas is coming!”

I said to Sarah Applegate.

Family and friend and lots of fun games

Carols and lights and reindeer held by reigns

And of course

presents!

Where would we be without those?

Presents are the

MOST important!

As everyone knows

I was at school on the last day when I said that out loud.

It was Christmas Vacation and my class was waiting for the bell to sound

We were all ready to be sent on our way

With at least

TWO WEEKS!

Of free from school time to play.

I stood in the corner of the classroom, staring up at the Christmas tree

When all of a sudden I heard a small voice beside me.

“The gifts aren’t what’s important, buy WHY we give them is.”

I turned to see who was talking; it was little Jeremy McGriz

“Why we give them? Well, what do you mean?”

But before I got an answer it was time to leave.

On the way home from school, I asked my big brother.

“Why do we give gifts at Christmas time to one another?”

“Come on sis, don’t be silly, cause they give them to US!”

The rest of the way home I just sat thinking, on the bus.

I give presents to people

And then they give some to me?

It seems kind of funny, a strange way to be.

Now don’t get me wrong,

I Love getting presents.

But, that can’t be the answer yet,

Surely we don’t give, to get.

We got off the bus at Aunt Ruth’s

“I’ll ask her, maybe she knows the truth.”

“Aunt Ruth, do you have a Christmas present for me?”

“Well, of course I do, now don’t be silly.”

“Why did you get me one, is there a reason?”
“of course dearie, its because of the Christmas season.

“Now hurry along there is much to do,

Christmas is coming!

It will be here soon.

After Aunt Ruth’s my brother and I headed to the mall. Usually I would run from store to store and have a ball.

But today too much was on my mind.

There were too many answers I needed to find

I walked down and entered my favorite store,

It had a sign that said WATCHES, GALLORE

The salesman was busy, but I just had to ask

“Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt you from your task,

but I have a question, I could really use some assistance.”

“Could you please tell me why we give gifts at Christmas?”

“We give presents to show our love at Christmas time.”

But why Christmas? I said,

is there a reason?

Is there a rhyme?

The salesman sighed,

And through up his hands

And then went to help another man with some watch bands.

“Excuse me young lady,”

said an older woman standing by

She was round and cheery with a sparkle in her eye

“I couldn’t help but over hear, and I’d like to help you out

“And tell you what all this gift giving is about.

“You see Christmas is the time we celebrate Christ’s birth

because many years ago, he came to this earth

born in a manger with a star up above,

he was the perfect gift,

he was God’s love

And today gifts are a symbol and reminder to give God’s love to all

And that’s something that just can’t be bought in a mall

She smiled a bright smile and patted my cheek

She headed out the door,

But turned to give me a wink.

I watched her walk away as I waved goodbye,

Jeremy McGriz was right, it’s not what we give, buy why.

God gives us so much love all through out the year

We should always have a little holiday cheer

Jesus was given to us,

A magnificent present

He was God’s son

And to us he was sent

And after knowing that

Our lives shouldn’t be the same

Because once you have God’s love

It’s too big to contain

And giving it to others should come naturally

So whether in July

Or wrapped up under a tree

Gifts show our love and remind us of its source

Which was from God

To a manger

To you and me of course

And may we never forget the reason that we give

Because once we know Jesus

It’s also the reason why we live.

Merry Christmas Eve!
About 10 years ago at this time of year I wondered to myself... "why do I give presents?"
I know why people give them, but, why ME specifically, at Christmas, do I give presents??? Is it because of society? Tradition? Selfishness? I wanted a purpose from my gift giving, other wise, why do it... ( I know sooo my over-thinking, over-complicating personality) but, I did some thinking and then started writing and this story was what came out. It has become kind of dear to me now that I am a mom and wanted to pass it along.

May you be so filled with the Love of Jesus this Christmas that it over flows!
-Crystal