Who were those little elves?

When I returned home late last night after a day of errands and Christmas shopping, I knew immediately that some little elves had been to my house. On my porch, I was greeted with a lovely decorated bag full of delicious fruit. Now, the question is who were those little elves? I searched the bag for a card or any identification of the giver, to no avail. As I pondered on the generosity of the mysterious giver, I contemplated the many times in the past that I have received similar surprises. I think I remember every single one of those moments, some more phenomenal than others, but all of them sprinkled with the magical flavor of the spirit of giving.

Sometimes I’ve played the elf, and sometimes the recipient. Each one of those designations makes me feel warm and cozy and bursting with the spirit of giving. If you don’t believe that giving can make a difference, no matter how humble the gift, you should try it. If you give, be prepared to receive more. St. Francis of Assisi said, “For it is in giving that we receive.”

Thinking of others, especially at this time of year, will ground you with a purpose and fill your heart with joy. I think that is one of the messages of Christmas, the example set by the Savior for us to emulate, the gentle reminder for us to care more for each other and find happiness in doing so. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving.”

As I put on my elf hat, a quote by Mother Teresa weaves gently through my mind. “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”
© 2014 Linda Gatewood