To give

I was the kid that couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve. I'd lay in my bed - wide awake - staring at my clock for hours until finally, FINALLY, I could get up and see what was under the tree. It was miserable! The anxiety. The waiting. The watching.

That saying a watched pot never boils? I would say a digital clock never changes.

And then one year, I slept. And still do.

Because now I still get excited about presents under the tree. But not my presents - the presents I'm giving others. I love choosing just the perfect gift and watching them open it.

I love giving.

What if the world became a place where children didn't ask what they were getting for Christmas? What if children asked, what am I GIVING for Christmas? That would change the attitude of Christmas so much. To teach giving and not getting. To teach sharing and not hoarding. To teach that love isn't measured in the size or number of packages but by the thought and love behind the gift.

I want to give this Christmas.

I want to give HOPE to people that feel HOPELESS.

I want to give LOVE to people that feel ALONE.

I want to give JOY to people that feel DESPAIR.

And most importantly, I want to give THANKS for my family I love so much; my friends that love me even though they're not required to do so; for a God that keeps His promises; and for a Christmas season that reminds how blessed we all are.

What are you GIVING this Christmas?