The Christmas Challenge

In complete contrast to most Christmas wishes these days, last year after all of the presents were opened, my mother announced to my siblings and I that the only Christmas present she wanted for the next year was for each of us to perform some kind of service to others and write about our experience to her in a letter. At the time, I did not realize how difficult this task would be.

From serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster to participating in many other church and community service activities, each time I thought I was giving my mother her wish, I felt guilty. The reason is because I misinterpreted my mother’s request as one of personal sacrifice and suffering for the good of another. In other words, I understood her wish to mean that I should give something up and not enjoy the service I was giving even though I was helping others. In my mind, I thought feeling good while performing the service would disqualify it from fulfilling my mother’s desire.

As the year progressed, each time I was certain my next act of service could qualify sufficiently to fulfill my mother’s wish, I always felt strongly that it could not count as I experienced special feelings of gratitude and happiness. Throughout the year, as I attempted to do something that would help others while not filling me with love, I failed. The unexpected cycle continued as I began to realize I had a big problem on my hands, for I began to comprehend that I may be unable to fulfill the simple wish of my dear mother.

Then December came and I started to panic. How could I tell my mother I hadn’t done anything to carry out her Christmas wish?! In this desperate state, I called my family together and we planned several service-oriented activities in December. But as we began doing these things, the same feelings came to me, and were in fact intensified because of the Christmas season. I wondered again how these acts of service could fulfill the wish of my mom for I was being blessed for giving to others.

Now on Christmas Eve, I’ve come to understand that I’ll never be able to serve others and not be rewarded inwardly for it. Thus, I don’t think I will ever be able to give my mother what I presumed she wanted—though I’m certain my presumption was wrong.

This year and especially during this Christmas Season, what I’ve come to accept from my mother’s challenge is that when we give of ourselves whether it is our money, time, talents, etc., we are nearly always rewarded more in return with feelings of happiness, peace, satisfaction, and joy. The more I served others, the better I felt.

My heart was filled with joy this year and so will yours this coming year as you take my mother’s Christmas challenge and find ways to serve others. I learned, or was reminded, the more we serve others, the more we actually receive in return. What a shrewd and wise mother who understands what happiness in this life is all about! I sincerely wish a Merry Christmas to all—but especially, I wish a Merry Christmas to you Mom!