Christmas Blessings - Peter deKeratry

As I welcome my third child, Madeleine Fitzgerald de Keratry, into this world, I am reflecting upon another birth.  The birth.  The birth that we celebrate this Christmas season, the birth of Jesus Christ, Lord and savior.  *The word Christmas originated from “Christ’s Mass”.  It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.  Centuries later, we are still celebrating Christmas and it has evolved into more than a one day celebration.  It is an entire season and one which brings people and their communities together in grateful joy. 

The Christmas season is full of cheer and revelry.  Stores are full of holiday merchandise, festive music is piped in, Christmas trees are decorated, and homes are transformed with twinkling Christmas lights. There are many of these popular celebratory customs.  Perhaps none as popular as the exchange of gifts.  Some say we can trace gift giving back to the Three Wise Men.  So important was bearing a gift to the newborn King that they traveled miles and miles for weeks and weeks.  We too want to commemorate this joyous occasion with gifts.  We want to bestow gifts on our families, our friends, our charities, and our churches. 

As you make your final year end gift requests, do not be afraid to ask!  People want to bless you with monetary gifts to help you fulfill your ministry’s mission.  They want their heart to swell from the knowledge that they helped you help others.  Also, they want to make their donations in 2010 for tax purposes too!  This Christmas season, reach out to your donors and potential donors and give them a gift giving opportunity.  They will thank you for it.

*Source: Wikipedia