About this time every year my family begins a round of whispered
conversations and strategically timed phone calls. My daughter-in-law
wants to know what my daughter wants for Christmas. My daughter inquires
about her brother's wishes. He asks about my son-in-law. Around and
around we go. I also participate in two "Secret Santa" drawings, one among
friends and another at EDS where I work part-time.

It is the same thing there, too. Hushed conversations about wants and
wishes. We all want to give one another just the right thing.
Mostly this amuses me. It would sound to an outsider as if we did not know
each other. However, I suppose our desire to please each other takes over
when it comes time for gift-giving. I have also thought about another
meaning of these clandestine conversations among by friends and family.
When we know someone's wants, then we know someone better more deeply. We may even know his or her heart's desire.

Of course, it would be embarrassing to be caught without something to give
at one of these gift-exchanges. I think it is about more than fear of
embarrassment. I have witnessed an abiding characteristic in these gift
exchanges. Giving is what it is all about. The one thing that
characterizes the relationships in each of these groups I have described is
thoughtfulness and caring. Family members, friends and colleagues want to
give back to those who give us so much.

There seems to me to be a lesson in these gift-exchanges. At Christmas we
receive the gift from God that reveals our deepest wishes and answers our
longing hearts. At Christmas we are reminded that we really, really count
in the eyes of God. We are given the gift of light and love. In the gift
of Jesus, we get more and can become more even than our heart's desire.
And we are not without gifts to give in return. What we have to give back
is praise and participation in spreading this gift of light and love among
our family, friends and colleagues, and beyond. And God graciously
receives our gifts.

Rev. Ann Franklin