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The greatest gift of all

Editor’s note: This year, The Messenger invited young people in diocesan Catholic high schools and through their parishes to write an essay on what they considered to be “The Greatest Gift” at Christmas.

Essays came through the mail and in e-mails from different parts of the diocese.

Contrary to what many people think and say, young people, as well as their parents and other adults, are not spending all of their time in malls and big-box stores where they “shop till they drop.”

It’s easy to complain and blame people for their consumerism, but so many people and parishes are buying things to give to others, preparing meals or donating to food pantries to help those who have little or nothing this Christmas.

Ellen Toennies
Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese
‘Tis the Season
The Christmas spirit may not center solely on buying the most elaborate presents, but the holiday season undeniably produces a spirit of generosity. People readily demonstrate simple acts of kindness toward their loved ones as well as strangers during this time of the year. When an unexpected blizzard hits, countless good samaritans bare the elements in order to shovel the driveways of their neighbors. While entering or exiting a building, people willingly hold the door open for the strangers rushing past. As the Christmas spirit fills the air, a majority of people exhibit an increased attitude of friendliness, pleasantly addressing others with broad smiles and warm greetings. Those who have more than enough voluntarily share their excess wealth with those in need, participating in events such as monetary collections and canned food drives. Rather than searching for the most expensive and impressive gifts, some shoppers donate their extra money to those who cannot afford to buy any Christmas presents at all. The holiday season gives humans an unrestricted opportunity to express their gratitude toward others. This atmosphere of generosity plays an important role in establishing the Christmas spirit.

Madeline Moylan
Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese
As I think of all my desires, dreams, and fantasies, a simple, humble thought swims to the surface above all others. The light of Christ shining to all would be my wish. A simple smile, or a friendly “hello” to all the lonely people lining the streets in hunger and pain to ensure them that Christ truly is with them even in their strife. The homeless finding a friend, or a place to stay as the more fortunate let the light the Christ shine through their acts of kindness. The abused or neglected families coming together in forgiveness and love on the momentous day of Christ’s birth. I hope for those lost, and confused to be united with Christ. As the star shone to the wise men, so hopefully will my wish shine to those in need.

Abby Naumann
Gibault Catholic High School, Waterloo
As during the original Christmas when a soft, pink infant lay asleep in a stable, perhaps the greatest gift on Christmas remains the same. The gift of a life on Christmas — unwrapped, wriggling and breathing in unison with the world — is the most precious present to receive. Whether swaddled in fleece, furry and barking, or at home in a glass bowl of water, a new addition to a family — or the beginnings of one — brings a singularly joyous glimmer to every eye. Most often they enter our lives without bows or tags, often through a great sacrifice of time, money or the strife of a woman in labor. Yet these gifts will never fade out of style. Perhaps they will grow with us, outlive us, or leave us within the year, but any example of the most fantastic miracle — God’s gift of life — is irreplaceably special.

Emily Kronenberger
Cathedral of St. Peter Parish, Belleville
“Who is that baby?” Her eyes were wide with curiosity as she pointed to the manger just out of reach. Retrieving the baby figurine from the manger, I crouched on the ground with her. She gently cradled the baby in the palm of her hands, and I began to tell her the story of a faithful mother, and her baby, Jesus. She was a nine-year-old learning the story of Christ’s birth for the first time. I explained Christmas wasn’t all about Santa and gifts, but of the hope and love brought to all by His birth. The greatest gift I gave that year was teaching the true reason for celebrating the season to someone who has never heard it before. The greatest gift I received was the bright and shining look on her face as she squealed with delight, “Tell the story again!”

The following essays were submitted by students from Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese:

Lexi Konnen
The decorating of the Christmas tree, fun in the snow, unraveling of presents, meeting Santa Claus and sipping hot cocoa. All things symbolize the Christmas season. But all things couldn’t be possible with the most wonderful gift of all. If you didn’t give the gift of love to all those around you, you wouldn’t have such a miraculous outcome. Love is involved in it all: the love of the season, the love of giving, the love of the people around you. Without love this phenomenal holiday would not be possible. Love helps bring everyone together in the Christmas season. Love is the greatest gift of all for Christmas. Love is the reason Christmas is such a memorable holiday.

Walker Mondt
In this day in age, many objects and ideas blur the actual meaning of Christmas. Video games, jewelry, clothes and such distort what the one best gift actually is. The best gift of Christmas is faith. Originated from the birth of the Lord Jesus, faith encompasses what Christmas is about. Whether you are a little kid still believing in Santa Claus or a modern day teenager who is struggling with a battle with peer pressure and keeping your faith in God. Many times during our lives, faith can be a hard thing to hold on to, but when Christmas comes along each year, one thing we can always count receiving is not jewelry or clothes, it is faith.

Liz Deeba
The greatest gift one can receive on Christmas is the gift of family. There is nothing more exciting as a young child than to wake up on Christmas morning, gallop down the stairs and your grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins are all waiting to open presents with you. Some kids might say that the joy of Christmas is in the presents these people have brought with them. I however, believed different. I do not have a huge family but we live spread apart, so when the whole family got together and I got to see my baby cousins (there is a whopping two of them!) I would rather hold them, than open my presents. The best gift to receive for Christmas, in my opinion, is family. The amount of love in one room during the holidays when families are brought together is unmatched by anything else in the world.

Rachel Harper
When I think of Christmas, I think of only one word: family. Across the world, families gather to celebrate the most universal holiday of all on December 25. I have a very close intermediate family, but sometimes it is hard to get together when everyone’s lives are busy and different so many ways. The greatest gift of Christmas would, without a doubt, be celebrating it with all of my family. We would sing carols, exchange gifts for loved ones, and celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas Mass, and spend the day enjoying each other’s company. This is my one wish for Christmas: everyone would have the privilege to spend Christmas Day with his or her family and make memories that would last a lifetime.

Emily Abbott
“Hohoho! And what do you want for Christmas, my dear?” Sitting on Santa’s lap, joy overwhelms me. I think and think of what to tell him I want. For some reason I just can’t seem to find anything to tell him. I ponder on it a little more and finally come up with the greatest gift of all. I want superpowers! I whispered into Santa’s ear. “I would like superpowers please. I want to be able to fly. I want to be able to spread peace, love, and endless Christmas cheer with the snap of a finger. And if this last wish isn’t too much, I would like the superpower of laughter. Whenever I laugh or giggle or smile, I want all others around me to share my joy and happiness. Santa, don’t you agree that this is the greatest gift of all?!”

Jordan Ratermann
Every person has different opinions on what would be the greatest Christmas gift. Some might say that it would be money. Others may say it is the latest in designer clothes or the most expensive jewelry. However, for me these items do not show the real meaning of Christmas. They do not illustrate the actual meaning of the winter holiday. Therefore, I believe the greatest gift one can receive on Christmas is the joy and happiness you get by spending time with your family on Christmas day. Nothing can compare to the feeling one can get by visiting their loved ones on that joyful holiday.

Zoe Timmermann
Aunt Donna and Uncle Tom sitting across the table, a huge honey-baked ham with all the fixings ready to eat, everyone holding hands praying as we celebrate our Lord’s birth, the bright lights on the Christmas tree lighting the entire room; this is the greatest gift to receive; the presence of those who love you most. Most families give presents, but all we really want is those who love us most, through our high points and through the tough times, to be with us. We just want a hug from our family. As we gather, we also feel the presence of Jesus. Presents are nice, but our families and our Lord’s presence is even better.

Amanda Gall
New toys, technology, and clothes are just a few of the gifts people look forward to at Christmas. But, to some the greatest Christmas gift is more than just unneeded goods. Instead, it is family. To those without parents, Christmas is a time to look forward to the future, in hope that they will one day have a family to love them. With a family, they would have a place to call home: to watch TV in, play in, and sleep in. With a family, they would feel the feelings they have not yet felt before. They would be told bedtime stories, receive hugs, and have someone to call mom and dad. So, the greatest Christmas gift anyone could receive is the gift of family.

Becca Krebs
Sometimes the best gifts that you can receive are not gifts that cost the most or are the most technologically advanced, but the gifts that require a lot of thought and love. I think that one of the best gifts that anyone can receive for Christmas is having family and friends to spend the holidays with. Many people do not even consider this a gift, because they do not realize that others do not have family and friends to be with during the holidays. So many people take what they have for granted, but take some time to answer this question. What would the point of celebrating holidays be if you didn’t have loved ones to spend them with?

Hannah Albers
To be with family and friends,
To talk and laugh,
To make someone smile,
To be with the people you hold dear,
To be filled with joy,
To hear kind sentiments,
To be surrounded by caring,
To help and support,
To show affection,
To have friendship,
To express fondness,
To feel appreciated,
To feel like you belong,
To feel wanted,
To feel needed,
To know someone thinks of you,
To know someone cares,
To know someone misses you when you’re gone,
To ward off loneliness and fear,
To be safe and warm,
The greatest gift, and the one everyone needs, is love.

Drew Logullo
There are many gifts given to people at Christmas. Some people prefer large, outrageous gifts that cost gratinuous amounts of money. For others, something simple, perhaps the pair of shoes you lack to walk or a blanket to keep warm are enough. For all people, whether homeless or rich or alone, the greatest gift to have is to be with someone at Christmas. Christmas is a time to be together with those you love and to celebrate the reason we are all here: Jesus. Some of my favorite Christmas seasons were spent with my entire family at our house. Yeah it may be crazy, but I love my family and Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them.

Ian Bruening
When a child awakens on Christmas morning, he springs downstairs to open his presents. While his family may not obtain the highest income, or other possessions, he hopes for everything he has ever wanted. As he arrives in the living room, his eyes brighten immensely. He then darts back upstairs to his parent’s bedroom, where he frantically shakes them to wake up for Christmas. His parents slowly awaken, and begin their journey downstairs. As the child’s parents arrive downstairs, their eyes also brighten. Standing there, in the kitchen, is the family’s oldest son, who had just arrived from the war in full military drab. The whole family rushes to him, and they embrace each other. The greatest gift of Christmas is truly family. Without family, friendship and happiness would not exist throughout the world.

Kayla Mattson
The greatest gift of Christmas is not a gift that can be handed to you. It is family. You get to spend the holidays with them. Having family there for you to celebrate with is a wonderful gift. Whether your family is big or small, they’re always with you. You don’t need wrapped gifts and presents to be happy. Christmas is meant to be about Jesus being born, and Jesus was brought onto the earth by God. God also brought all people onto earth, including family. You should be thankful that God gave you your family and you shouldn’t need any other gifts. Family is truly the greatest gift sent to us by God.

Molly Fields
The greatest gift received at Christmas is not wrapped in ribbons or bows. It does not show up under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning or in your stocking on St. Nick’s Day. It does not have a scent or taste, and you cannot even see it. It is not an object but a simple feeling. The greatest gift of all can be given and received by everyone and it does not cost anything. It has been present since the day of birth and is given until the day of death. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, showed his disciples the true meaning of it and taught us how to act on it. It can be true and it can be passionate. It can be shown by your friends and family, or even a stranger. The greatest gift of all is love.

Markie Johnson
If you ask a random teenager on the street what they think the best Christmas present to receive would be, they would most likely reply the latest video game, the newest I-Pod, or money. Even though these are tempting things, their is a greater gift to receive. The gift of family, friends and Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time of spending time with your family and friends. Even though those items listed above will make you happy for a while, spending quality time with your family will make you happy much longer and create memories that will last a lifetime. Once you get older, you will reminisce about these moments with your family and smile. Chances are you will not remember that famous video game or newest I-Pod. Jesus Christ is also the main focus of Christmas. We receive the gift of his birth to save the world from sin.

Rachel Ripperda
Some say the best gifts for Christmas are toys, games, clothes, maybe even shoes. In my opinion the people that think this way are very far off. The best gift to receive for Christmas is family. I think the best gift is family because with family comes happiness, laughter and memories. The best gifts for Christmas don’t come wrapped in sparkling paper. They are right in front of you, family members. From my experiences, many people think the best gift to receive for Christmas is family. Everyone would like to spend the holidays with their loved ones, but some do not get the chance. Those of us that do, do not realize how lucky we really are. The best gifts do come in small packages. When I was younger, my mom would have to work at the hospital on Christmas. One day, my mom received a call from her work earlier that morning. She didn’t have to work! That was the greatest gift I have received, spending time with all of my family. I wish everyone would realize that the greatest gifts are not material things, and until they don’t they are missing out on the real meaning of Christmas.

Madeline Lager
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Christmas? When most people think of Christmas they think of receiving gifts. Everyone worries about buying gifts for others and pondering what they will collect from friends and family. In my opinion, the greatest gift to receive during Christmas is actually the night before. The whole family stops what they are doing and gathers together to spend time with each other. The stress is over, and hope fills everyone’s hearts that they will get many wonderful gifts the next day. No children will sleep the night of Christmas Eve, and parents go to bed early because they know the kids will be up at the crack of dawn ready to open presents. This, in my mind, is the best thing anyone could have during Christmas.

Tyler Schrage
In my honest opinion one gift that someone receives for Christmas that tops all others is ....Love. This is one gift that everyone receives on Christmas from someone that truly cares for them. Love is not something we can see, touch or smell. Love is something that we feel, something that we know is there. It’s that little feeling in your heart, that look in someone’s eye when they give you a present and you explode into excitement. It’s that smile you give when someone tells a joke or the thing you say to pick someone up when they are down. Love is something that we all receive at some point during Christmas from someone that we love back. That is the greatest gift of all and no object can beat it.

Cameron Scott
Every December 25, people around the world buy gifts for their friends and family, hoping that their gift is a good one. Well, if someone were to ask me what gift I would like, I would tell them to give food to the poor under my name. I would rather know that I saved a life or made someone’s Christmas better than have material things. Also, I would love to reunite a lost child or a family member back to their family. I would be so happy if I did. My favorite part of Christmas is not the gifts, but the fun times I spend with my family. These are the gifts I think mean the most and have the longest effect on you.

The following essays were submitted by students from Gibault Catholic High School, Waterloo:

Brittany Feeney
What is the greatest gift to receive? Well, I could say money, a new laptop, my own, or any other “essential” things I thought I needed. Yet these things aren’t necessities to me. Rather, they are just my greedy little mind desiring things that are expensive and not worth getting through family members who can get you true necessities. Okay, so material items are off the list. I could wish for my dead relatives and dead friends, but God is taking care of them in a safe place now and I shouldn’t drag their souls back down to earth just for my own greedy wants. So, I believe the ultimate gift to receive is...my whole family together on Christmas Day. Not the dead ones, but every living person surrounding each other with love. It is the giving season, and love is an endless, non-expensive, living gift for everyone.

Natalie Loless
The greatest gift to receive at Christmas time is the gift of family. Family is the main support system in life, and I believe to be with family during the holidays is a gift. My extended family rarely sees each other because of the distance between us, but at Christmas, everyone celebrates at my house. Christmas dinner and opening presents is much more enjoyable with those that I love. We are given the opportunity to catch up and experience Christmas as a whole family. I believe Christmas should be about the time spent with family, and I am extremely grateful that it is the one time we are all together.

Maria Wilson
St. Mary Parish, Mt. Vernon
The greatest gift I could receive this Christmas would be if my family could celebrate Christmas is our family room. My grandma has lived with my family for six years, and last year she had a very bad stroke. One of the abilities that she lost after her stroke was the ability to walk properly. Our family room is in our basement, down two staircase. Grandma had a hard time walking down our hallway, steps are out of the question. I am not sure why I want to spend Christmas in our family room so badly. Maybe it is because the family room represents a time when my Grandma remembered who I was, a time when she baby-sat me, not the other way around. I know our Christmas will be wonderful no matter where we celebrate, but the greatest gift I would get this year would be to celebrate in our family room.

Maddia Walls
St. Michael Parish, Paderborn
The Christmas season is considered to be the season of giving. Give back to your community, family and maybe even sometimes yourself. When I was younger all I wanted was toys! Of course I suppose that was normal for a little kid though. Yet, now that I am older my family has changed along with my view of the, “Best Christmas gift.” I believe the best Christmas gift would be to have my deceased cousin Chris with me during the holidays again.
First off, I know that it would never be a reality. Although I can’t help but wonder what it would be like. Even though my family still gets together every year for Christmas there seems to be something missing, and it’s him. Somehow I know he is still with me, even though he is not here physically; he is there watching. So, I suppose my gift has been given to me all along, all I had to do was look a little bit deeper.