CHRISTMAS CAN BE much more than parties, sweet treats, and wish lists—they present opportunities for us to guide our children in showing gratitude to God (see Counsels for the Church, p. 159). Share the following parable with your children and encourage them to think of ways to “give a gift to Jesus.”
A PARABLE FOR CHILDREN
Let’s pretend it’s almost time for your birthday, and some nice people have planned a wonderful party. There will be lots of people, good food, and presents. You can hardly wait for the day to arrive, and when it’s finally here, you are so excited! You dress in your nicest clothes and beg your parents to take you to the party as early as possible so you can stand by the door to welcome all your guests.
When they start coming, you notice that everyone is carrying a beautifully wrapped gift—that’s exciting too, isn’t it? You step in front of the first people and greet them warmly, thanking them for coming, but they rush by you as though you weren’t even there. Then they take their gift to a special table where gifts are to be placed.
But the next person does the same thing—and the next, and the next! Nobody even notices you standing there. You feel disappointed and soon grow tired of trying to be friendly.
The party proceeds the way most parties do, with people talking and eating all the goodies. Finally, the time comes to open presents.
The first present goes to somebody else, as do the second and third. Before it is all over, everyone at your party has gotten a present except for you. There were no presents left. What a disappointment!
This story never really happened. It is only a made-up story—like some of the parables Jesus used to tell—but it can remind us of how Jesus might feel when we celebrate Christmas and people give big, beautiful gifts to everyone but Him. Christmas is indeed the day that people should think of Jesus and His birth.
How can we give a gift to Jesus? Giving a gift to someone who may not get one otherwise makes Jesus happy. Obeying our parents and teachers and doing nice things for others is like giving a present to Him. Jesus said in the Bible: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Another thing that is like giving Jesus a gift is telling Him we love Him and want to be His friend. Thank Him for preparing heaven for you, and tell Him you really, really want to be there to live with Him. Can you think of at least one thing you can give to Jesus?
