Remove the “Material”

Melissa Adams

A certain relative of mine (who shall remain nameless, but has an “in-law” title), gives me the most interesting gifts for Christmas every year. One year I got an egg cooker, another year I got a pink Swiss Army knife, and yet another year I got an alpaca sweater from Peru. Though I love this person dearly, I’m not proud to say that I was a little judgmental in her choice of gifts. I often wondered what she was thinking when she purchased the item. One of the most memorable gifts I received was in 2014, right after I had my last child. It was a powder blue sweatsuit with embroidered flowers around the collar. It was an outfit suited more toward an octogenarian than a perpetual 29-year-old (which is how I perceive my age). I’ve included a photo because words just don’t do it justice.

When I got home with the gift, I’m embarrassed to admit that I laughed and mocked and thought, “I won’t be caught dead wearing this!” I decided to try it on and found out that it was really quite warm and soft. I started wearing it around the house when I knew no one would see me. A few weeks later, I mentioned to her how warm and soft the outfit was. She said, “I know it’s not the most stylish outfit out there, but I was trying to find something warm for you to wear because I know you always get cold in your house.” My perception suddenly changed, and I was humbled. I realized that I had put all of my judgment on the material object. All of my thoughts, impressions, and gratitude (or lack thereof) were focused on the powder blue monstrosity. Never once did I consider her intentions when giving the gift. But when I took the “material” out of the gift, I was left with kindness, consideration, and extreme thoughtfulness. Suddenly the sweatsuit didn’t seem so ridiculous anymore. In fact, it was a very meaningful gift, and I ended up wearing it until it was too worn out to be considered appropriate.

When you think about the gifts that Christ gave during his life, almost all of them were non-material gifts, with the exception of a few loaves and fishes. But even if he had given material gifts to his friends, I would venture to guess that the gifts would have been given with love and were probably exactly what the person needed. If I had lived during Jesus’ time and was one of his friends, I wonder what my reaction would have been if he had presented me with a new pair of sandals or the newest fragrant spice. Would I put judgment in the material gift itself? I would hope that I wouldn’t think, “I won’t be caught dead wearing these sandals!” I would hope that I wouldn’t take one smell of the spice and put it on a shelf never to be thought of again! Instead, I would want my 30 A.D. self to take the “material” out of the gift. I would think about how much Jesus loved me to spend what little money he had on me instead of himself. I would be flattered that he noticed my sore and blistered feet without noticing his own. With the “material” stripped away, I think I would cry at the very thought of receiving a gift, any gift, from one such as Him. The irony is that we have all received the ultimate non-material gift from Him. How do we receive it?

This season, try taking the “material” out of the gifts that you receive and see how much more meaningful they become. In addition, receive the love of the Savior through the most non-material gift that’s ever been given.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Melissa Adams

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