The Gift of Presence

In one of those moments where humor and truth intertwine, Lee and I were enjoying a yard sale, letting go of the clutter we had accumulated over the years. As we reminisced about the things we no longer wanted or needed, our FedEx delivery driver happened to stop. Walking down our driveway, he cheerfully called out, “What do you have for sale?” To which Lee, with a smile, quipped, “All of the stuff you brought us last year!”

We all laughed, but for Lee and me, that lighthearted exchange took on a deeper, spiritual significance about stuff. In today’s world, it’s effortless to click “add to cart,” tap “Apple Pay,” or wave a credit card over that small device in the store—and voilà, like magic, we have something new.

As I reflect on my grown-up Christmas list, I find myself thinking about my deepest needs. In Walden, Henry David Thoreau writes: “The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life, which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”

Thoreau is essentially saying that everything we buy—whether in terms of money, time, or energy—comes at a cost. And sometimes, what we gain in material wealth comes at the expense of the wealth we could have experienced through people, moments, or God Himself. Christmas, in its truest form, reminds us that some things are priceless—love, peace, relationships, community, and the gift of time.

In Luke 2:15-20, we read about the shepherds who hurried to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior. They didn’t bring fancy gifts or elaborate plans—they simply brought themselves. They spent time together, rejoicing over the miracle they had witnessed. In the same way, we are called to be present with those around us, to make time for each other, and to share in the joy of the season.

Years ago, I heard a pastoral counselor say that people, at their core, desire two things: a life that matters and relationships that last. As I’ve walked through life and reflected on these words, they’ve become a measure for how I spend my time. Are the things I’m investing in—whether objects or activities—helping me live a life that matters? Are the relationships I’m cultivating lasting, deep, and meaningful? These are the questions I carry with me, especially during the Christmas season.

My grown-up Christmas wish is simple: to focus on what is truly priceless—gratitude for the good health of loved ones, enjoying coffee with friends, appreciating the gift of time with my parents and in-laws in their later years of life, investing in causes that work to correct injustices in our country and in our world, savoring quiet moments on my porch swing as I take in the beauty of nature, enjoying the lights on the Christmas tree, watching a sunrise or sunset, and never taking for granted my next breath—being mindful that these things cannot be bought or sold.

May this Christmas find us all inspired by the shepherds to seek out the people we love, to celebrate the beauty of community, and to cherish the life-giving moments of connection.

Reflect and Respond

• What's your favorite Christmas gift you ever received? Do you still have it?
• What is your relationship with stuff? How much of a part does buying and selling stuff play into your budget?
• Pray: God, as I take my next breath, give me the awareness that it is not by chance that my lungs fill with oxygen, that I inhale and exhale, or that my heart beats a next beat. Help me to be mindful of the gift of Your presence. This Christmas, help me to keep in the forefront of my mind and heart what truly matters—my relationship with You and with those I love. Help me to cherish the moments I have with family, friends, and even strangers. May this season be one of deep connection, gratitude, and joy. Amen.