Neighbor to Neighbor Woman Presents:

 

In this issue...
Finding Values That Make Life Sweet - #10 A Second Look At Gift Giving

 

   

  Simply and Beautifully Woman

December, 2011

 A Second Look At  Gift Giving:

Generosity and Prudence 

 

 

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Greetings!   

 

 

Simply and Beutifully Woman...

 

Maybe to be that woman this Christmas we should get a new dress or be the perfect hostess or buy the most unique gifts for our loved ones!  But, perhaps,  no one will even notice the dress or like our gifts. Those closest to us  might even be annoyed with our anxiety over many things as we attempt to make things "just right" for everyone and give all of our energy and efforts to our lengthy preparations.

 

Probably what our loved ones would really like the most this Christmas:

 

Is that we have a light hearted spirit, laugh at the things that go "wrong", sing as we work and speak kindly and with respect to those we live with.  They hope that we appreciate the thoughtful gifts they give to us, even if they are the wrong size or the wrong "dream gift" altogether. 


When we take time to weigh the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, the better and the best of a situation, we are getting ourselves in a position for continuing our development of the virtue of PrudencePrudence underlies all of the other virtuesHow can we bring kindness and joy and generosity into our home if we don't first reflect on what we are going to let come out of our mouths, the consequences of our activities or the amount of money we will spend on gifts and decorating? Remember...thinking about a situation with God doesn't need to take a lot of time.  It can take place in the twinkling of an eye.  God can speak to us, make His mind understandable to us as soon as we turn our hearts towards Him. 

 

 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

 

"The highest gift we can give to another is the gift of ourselves. This epitomizes the virtue of generosity. For Christians, God's gift of Himself through Christ represents the ultimate form of generosity, and serves as a model for all human generosity.."  (Donald Demarco from "The Virtue of Generosity)  

 

 

 

Having a Christmas with Meaning
Having a Christmas with Meaning

 

In our culture, it is expected that we spend quite a bit of money at Christmas. Often we overspend our budgets and carry some fear about getting the right presents.

 

This morning on Fox News, Father Jonathan spoke about giving at Christmas. I thought you might enjoy hearing his take on overspending as we contemplate both the virtue of generosity and the important virtue of prudence, which helps us know what "generosity" means in our circumstances, in our family. Click the arrow above to hear this short message. 

 

 

"Come Holy Spirit, help me to choose wisely the way to go. Give me prudence to discern between what is generous and holy and what is coming from my own concers about "me". I want to be courageous to do your will when I hear your voice in the quietness of my heart. For your ways are good, O Lord, your will for me is perfect."    

 

Oh Happy Advent.

 

May our "waiting for Him" bear fruit that will last all year long! 
 
Till Next Sunday,
Sharon