Give as God gave at Christmas

                                  We give because God gave.  God gave us his son, so every December we imitate him by giving gifts to our loved ones. 
                                  What about gifts for God?
                                   God gave the gift of himself.
                                   God was the first Christmas gift, lying in a manger.  In his image, we are called to give the gift of ourselves to him.  Go to Mass every Sunday and in between, too.  Kneel in adoration before the tabernacle or in a Perpetual Adoration chapel.  Go to Confession to stay connected.
                                   Give the gift of love.
                                   God loves freely whether or not we love in return.  He asks us to share love with others.  Give others your undivided attention.  Put down the cellphone in meetings, in conversations, and definitely at Mass.  Listen when someone has a problem.  Put people before things.
                                   Give the gift of prayer.
                                   Are your prayers like a letter to Santa -------- lists of wants and needs?  God already knows all that.  Instead, pray for friends or loved ones who aren't active in their faith.  Offer Rosaries for those who are sick.  Ask God for guidance and thank him for his goodness.
                                   Give the gift of help.
                                   Don't forget your parish where God's work is done.  Help clean the church, teach a class, shovel snow, support a ministry.  Without you, God's work won't get done.