For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 25:35-36

We celebrate Christmas because God gave us the greatest gift of all – His Son Jesus Christ. He came to give us the gift of eternal life, to mend our brokenness, and to offer us peace.

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During this Christmas season, we remember what He did by celebrating Christ’s Mass. We retell the stories told in the Gospels of Mary’s faith; we sing songs of shepherds who stood in awe as they saw heavenly hosts announcing the arrival of Immanuel; we re-enact scenes of wise men following the star to find Jesus in a manger. We also give gifts to our loved ones, just as God gave Christ to the world which He so loves.

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In this season of giving, let us not forget the reason for giving. It is to bless the one receiving the gift. It is to encourage him, to remind him that there are people who love him. It is to provide him something practical, so that life will be all the merrier.

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It should never be an exchange of gifts. It should not start with a selfish intention to receive. Hence, we should not offer gifts as a means of building goodwill in order to receive what we want. It is not about showing off by comparing who gives or receives the better gifts. And it is certainly not a time to judge others by what they do or do not give, for we do not know what struggles lie behind the smiles.

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Rather, this is a season that we remember God’s generosity. And we remember by paying it forward.

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It is a time that we remember those who are in need. Because this was the time that God met humanity’s need. Likewise, in remembering what He did for us, we are to uplift those among us who are less well-to-do.

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That is the spirit of giving.