Giving

 There once was a village by the edge of an enchanted forest. Every Christmas Eve presents appeared on the trees and the villagers would go into the forest. They would separate and choose gifts for their family and friends. Christmas Day was a time to open presents and cherish the givers. Then one year someone had a brilliant idea. What if each person were to go into the forest and select their own gifts? Then they would get exactly what they wanted and not have to bother with wrapping and unwrapping gifts. The villagers agreed that this was a good idea, and it was decided that each person would only gather gifts for himself or herself. One boy—I’ll call him Peter—had a problem. His little sister was ill and could not leave her bed. This decision meant she wouldn’t get any gifts. Peter decided he would gather gifts for his sister and not gather any for himself.

Christmas morning arrived. The villagers had searched all night and this year there were no gifts in the forest. Except Peter’s sister had many gifts. Peter acknowledged that he had gathered the gifts. They questioned him. Where did he go? What part of the forest had gifts?  “They were everywhere,” Peter said. “The forest was full of gifts.”

I have forgotten the exact details of this legend, but one thing is clear to me. It is more important to focus on giving than on getting. It is not hard to find a way to give or who needs the gift. I must simply open my mind and heart.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have ten Giving Machines at various locations in the United States. When I googled Giving Machines I found the locations and the link to give on line.  This year there is one in the Bay Area. It is located on Temple Hill in Oakland, California.

Last Friday I watched as people chose what to give—food, clothes, shelter, bedding, chickens, goats, pigs, beehives, training, education supplies. It was as easy as buying a candy bar from a vending maching.  After the giver selected an item, a little package dropped to let the giver know his gift had been recorded. The actual gift will be given through one of 40+ local and global charity partners.  The Giving Machine will be on Temple Hill though December 31.

I consider what I personally might give and who needs what I can offer. Tangible gifts—money, clothes, toys—are appreciated. But it usually is the memory of the gift that lingers when the gift is an expression of love and caring. And that memory belongs to me—the giver—as well as to the one who receives. This Christmas I am giving away digital copies of my picture book Who Was There: A Nativity Story for Children   It is available on Amazon and is free from December 8 to December 12.

But there are other gifts that I might give: a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a service. I tell stories all though the year, but I especially love to share Christmas stories. Each story is a gift. During 2021 I learned how to adapt and share my storytelling on the Zoom platform, and I will continue sharing stories on Zoom this year. 

I have two performances scheduled
Christmas Storytelling on Zoom with Rose the Storylady

Wednesday, December 8, 2021  – 3:30 PM Pacific Time
The Christmas Tree Lamb and other Favorite Christmas Stories
 for young listeners
836 6190 5845       Passcode: Stories 
Click here for Zoom link

       Monday December 20.  2021 – 7:00 PM Pacific Time
The Other Wise Man and other Favorite Christmas Stories 
for all ages
886 7442 1568        Passcode: Stories
Click here for Zoom link.

On Tuesday December 14 and December 28, I will be on Temple Hill in Oakland, California from 5-8 pm Pacific Time. I will visit with people who come to use the Giving Machine and view the Festival of Trees. I will share stories.