A LITTLE ESSAY




CHRISTMAS-GIVING AND CHRISTMAS-LIVING

I


The custom of exchanging presents on a certain day in the year is very
much older than Christmas, and means very much less. It has obtained
in almost all ages of the world, and among many different nations.
It is a fine thing or a foolish thing, as the case may be; an
encouragement to friendliness, or a tribute to fashion; an expression
of good nature, or a bid for favour; an outgoing of generosity, or
a disguise of greed; a cheerful old custom, or a futile old farce,
according to the spirit which animates it and the form which it takes.

But when this ancient and variously interpreted tradition of a day
of gifts was transferred to the Christmas season, it was brought
into vital contact with an idea which must transform it, and with an
example which must lift it up to a higher plane. The example is the
life of Jesus. The idea is unselfish interest in the happiness of
others.

The great gift of Jesus to the world was himself. He lived with and