Giving

I was the recipient of a random act of kindness at school just before the break.  When I went to check my mailbox in the teacher's workroom, I found a single white envelope with my name on it.  I opened it to find the following note:

"Dear Mary Rachel,
I think you are a great teacher.  I am able to share this year and I want you to have this.  I hope you will use it to buy something just for you."

Inside were two $50 giftcards to JC Penny.  The note was typed and not signed, so I had no way of tracing the giver.

I think most of us (including me) miss the reason for the holidays.  Giving and receiving is wonderful, but we often forget why we do it.  Oh, we weave our way amongst the holiday crowds at the mall in search of the perfect gift for that "special someone," but isn't this often out of obligation?  Don't we sometimes give gifts at Christmas just because that's what we're supposed to do?  Not only was I humbled last week by this anonymous person's generous gift, but I was reminded of why we should give.  It's not because of any good in the person on the receiving end.  (I didn't deserve that gift any more than any other teacher at school).  It shouldn't be because giving makes us feel better about ourselves upon seeing the other person open our wonderfully creative and expensive gift.  (The person who blessed me with such kindness intentionally gave anonymously.)  It is not because we expect anything in return.  (I cannot reciprocate the random act of kindness because I cannot trace the giver.)  Giving should simply be done because we recognize a need and joyfully desire to meet it... just because we can.  Giving is about caring and sacrificing for another person, whether they deserve it or not.  Giving is about love.

Isn't that the example Christ set?

"Now the whole world will not be the same

Because Love has come down, and Grace has a name..."