The Season of Giving

1. For my parents, I painted a picture of their house and had it framed. I took liberties with their landscaping (adding some shrubs and flowers), which made for a better portrait.

2. For my in-laws, who had just bought a lake house last year, I painted a "Lake House Retreat" sign with their names and a boat. The background was crackle-painted to make it look weathered, and then I glued old rope to the edges to make it more rustic.

3. For my sister and her almost-husband, we bought a framed print that was on their wedding registry.

4. For my nephew, we bought him some sort of toy. With kids, they don't understand the phrase it's the thought that counts. They wanna play with something fun.

5. For the Cutlet, who was not born until the day after Christmas last year, we created a fun jungle-themed nursery for him. I painted, ripped up the carpet and put down wood-looking laminate planks, assembled the crib (that was my crib as an infant) and then I painted animal pictures on canvases (zebra, giraffe and elephant). The Petite Filet and a friend put up a cool jungle border, and my mom helped make curtains of fabric that exactly matches the border. While all this took great effort and some expense, it was our hearts that wanted to create a special room for our special little man.

The reasons for the season are many. The birth of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, who would live a sinless life and pay for mankind's sins on the cross, tops my list. But it is also a time, reminded by the grace of God, that we turn our thoughts to others. With the hustle and bustle we create in our daily lives, it's hard to remember that giving can be a lifestyle. It should be something we do every day, but we don't. I sure don't.

Gifts need not be wrapped up with shiny paper and fancy bows. Time is our most precious gift, and how we spend it is a window to our heart's priorities. You can't give a gift certificate for time, it must be spent immediately – all too soon our time expires or is taken by other things. Quality time continues to be an accepted phrase, although I argue that all time can be quality time if we let it.

Sometimes all someone needs is a smile and a warm "Hello." This takes little effort and very little time, but can make such a difference in someone's life. I remember when I first went away to college, there were three solid days when I said about four words total. Sure, it was mostly because I had a hardened shell that needing breaking; that came soon enough. Because I was alone and chose to be isolated, every time someone merely said "Hello" to me was a treasure. I'm such a different person from that shy dude of several years ago, but he's still inside me somewhere. And he sure was grateful for the kind words, few as they were.

How many people live their lives like this every day? I bet there are many. Why not smile and say "Hello" to someone today? If you dare, ask how that person is doing. Don't be afraid if they tell you. Smile, nod, listen. I'm not necessarily talking about a homeless person (they need love, too, but beware for your own safety), it can be the bank teller, waitress, grocery store clerk, anyone you come into contact today. They are special, they count, they have hopes and dreams.

Having a gracious heart, one full of caring and concern for others, not only makes the world a warmer place. It makes us better people. Please don't think I'm preaching this ... continually reaching out is something I struggle with also. I am also not saying it is wise to trust everyone. If anything, a gentle spirit can often be taken advantage of by practitioners of evil. But I wonder how different hardened hearts would be if they'd been softened with love earlier. And is it ever too late for someone to change? I don't think so. We can be a catalyst for someone else's forgiveness and redemption if only we show them love and grace.

Everyone can be loving, patient and kind when life is going well. The true test is how we act after being kicked, burned and hurt in myriad ways. I guess the bottom line of all this rambling is love is a many splendored thing. It's not all we need – that Beatles song is a lie. But without it, we are missing the true meaning of not just the holidays, but life itself.