SeniorSeeker said:
We've all heard it said that "It's the thought that counts." The cost of an item and or gift has nothing to do with it. Why compare, what I received, with anyone else? The most wonderful gift any of us has ever received has been eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, if we believe in and trust Him. What more could anyone ask? - - - - Sorry! Apparently I missed the point. It appears so much focus is on 'Stuff' rather than 'The Reason for the Season'. Yes...I received some neat gifts but the things that mattered most go unanswered or 'ungifted', if you will.
The question was not an attempt to compare anyone's gift with a gift someone else received. Nothing was said about sharing the cost of ANY gift received. It's a simple fact of life that the majority of people participate in gift giving and gift receiving at Christmas time - maybe not ALL people, but most. The question, "
Did anyone get anything special, unusual, or exciting for Christmas? What did you get? Lets here about it!" was a very simple attempt to get people talking and sharing if they received anything SPECIAL - UNUSUAL - or EXCITING for Christmas (people sometimes do receive gifts they treasure and/or enjoy). And, if so, would you like to share with the other people on the forum what you got. I don't believe we could find ANYONE on the forum who would not agree that JESUS is the Reason for the Season, and that His gift to us could NEVER compare to any earthly gift we receive here. And most would agree that time with family is much more valuable than any gift under the tree. If people did not participate in giving/receiving gifts, then that's fine! But you shouldn't take offense to harmless conversation among those who want to share what they got. I am NOT focused on the "stuff" rather than the "Reason for the season." and haven't been since I was a child. Matter of fact, I haven't even mentioned what I personally received. But I was told that the better question would have been "What did I give?" Without being specific, I did and gave plenty that was in no way "Christmas gift" related. However, I don't find it necessary to boast about any of that or share who, what, where, nor how much. If you're going to do it or give it and then boast about it, you might as well have kept it to start with.
Matthew 6
1. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Too bad that you are offended by a question that was in no way meant to compare, boast or anything else. If you don't like a question or post, maybe it would be better not to say anything at all. I find that there are many things I choose not to reply to or open my mouth about unless I feel that it attacks me personally or something I deeply believe in. It tends to keep down strife and stirrings. However, I did choose to respond this time because it is often ridiculous how some things posted here are picked apart.