I have thought for awhile that Christmas gifts have gotten quite useless since most people who exchange gifts have just about everything they need, and what they really don't need is another figurine or strange kitchen gadget.

But looking through advertisements recently, I discovered some truly ridiculous items that seem to indicate we are a nation running out of good, new ideas. One prize certainly should be awarded to the person or persons who invented the "bow container" and the "wrap box."

The bow container is a plastic rectangular container that holds gift wrap bows. I never knew I needed an on-sale-for-just-$4.99 plastic container for gift wrap bows. The plastic bag the bows came in always seemed to work just fine. But topping that was the on-sale-for-just-$9.99 plastic wrap box to store gift wrapping paper. The gift wrapping paper would be kept safe from, well, safe from; I can't think of anything; okay, floods! Yes, I know gift wrapping paper can be expensive, but it is not sacred and it is not the gift.

I try to measure my purchases against a catalog I once saw that said it would take just $30 a month to buy milk for an orphan for one month.

Consider also that some people would just love to read the Holy Bible but they don't own one because Bibles are not readily accessible in their nation. A few dollars will pay the printing and shipping costs to get many Bibles into a lot of hands that would welcome them.

We are told that "it is better to give than to receive." Since Jesus Christ said this and it's his birthday we are celebrating, who knows better about Christmas than him? Give some milk, give some Bibles, give anything, but just give!

Get a gift for someone who has suffered a tragedy, someone who is alone, or someone who is handicapped. Do something for someone else. A gift of time is often the very best gift we can give, and, note, it doesn't cost a dime. But, give some of your money, too. By giving, you will share in the love that fills the air, especially during this time of year.

For me, Christmas is like looking at a photo album of the Lord's life on earth. In my heart, he is not the wonderful little baby anymore but the grown Christ, the one who suffered and died for all my sins and the world's sins and who now stands at the right hand side of God, our Father, waiting to receive those who are waiting to see him. There is no greater gift than his sacrifice.

From the most expensive trinkets and clothes and cars and homes to the figurines and plastic bow containers and wrap boxes, there is no gift more precious than Jesus Christ, God's only son, given as an example of the depth of his love for us.

T&D Correspondent Cindy Dean Ott can be reached by phone at 803-829-3638. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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