Last night, I found myself in a classic Christmas Eve Eve predicament: a mountain of unwrapped presents and a rapidly dwindling sense of time. I’m not the world’s best gift-wrapper to begin with, and as usual, I’d left everything to the last minute. My tape dispenser disappeared halfway through the first roll, and my cuts of wrapping paper looked more like abstract art than straight lines. To make matters worse, I didn’t have any gift tags.

My solution? Scraps of wrapping paper folded into little cards, hastily scrawled with names and taped onto the presents. Let’s just say my pile of gifts ended up looking more “Pinterest fail” than “holiday masterpiece.” As I sat back, surveying the mess of crooked bows and mismatched paper, I laughed at myself and thought: _Does it really matter if the wrapping isn’t perfect? It’s what’s inside that counts, right?_

That little reflection stuck with me this morning as I opened my Advent calendar and pulled out… a gift tag. Its timing couldn’t have been better. A gift tag is small, but it carries a message: _This is for you. I thought of you. I care about you._ It reminded me to reflect on the heart of giving—not just wrapped presents, but the gifts we offer through love, time, and service.


Today’s Gospel, Zechariah’s canticle, centers on God’s greatest gift: salvation through His Son. Zechariah proclaims: _“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free”_ (Luke 1:68). This gift of redemption is one we could never earn or repay—it’s freely given out of God’s boundless love.

In the first reading, we see King David wanting to build a grand temple for the Lord, but God has a different plan. Through the prophet Nathan, God reminds David that He doesn’t need an elaborate house: _“Should you build me a house to dwell in? … It was I who took you from the pasture”_ (2 Samuel 7:5, 8). What God desires is not a lavish gift, but a heart that’s open to His will.

This is a great reminder for us as we rush to wrap gifts and complete our to-do lists. It’s not the size or perfection of our offerings that matters—it’s the love behind them. Whether it’s a kind word, a listening ear, or simply our presence, what we give with love has the power to reflect God’s goodness.


Mary’s example in Advent is one of selfless, joyful giving. When she learns of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, she doesn’t hesitate. She “goes in haste” to serve her cousin, bringing not only physical help but the presence of Christ within her. Mary’s song, the Magnificat, overflows with gratitude and awe at God’s love. Her joy in giving wasn’t about receiving praise or recognition; it came from sharing God’s blessings with others.

Tonight's celebration of Christmas reminds us that God’s greatest gift is Himself. Emmanuel—God with us—came to dwell among us, sharing in our joys and struggles. As we prepare to celebrate His birth, we’re invited to imitate His example by giving ourselves to others.
Take a moment to reflect: What can you give today? Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who’s feeling lonely, helping a neighbor with a task, or simply being fully present with your family. The best gifts often cost nothing at all. It costs nothing to invite someone to Mass or Christmas dinner.

Ask yourself, _How can I serve joyfully, even in the little things?_ Like my makeshift gift tags, our offerings don’t have to be perfect—they just need to be given with love.


As I think back to my pile of imperfectly wrapped presents, I’m reminded that the true beauty of giving isn’t in the wrapping—it’s in the thought, care, and love behind it. This Christmas Eve, let’s focus less on the appearance of our gifts and more on the heart of giving.

In the rush of the final preparations, may we pause to offer not just material gifts, but the gifts of kindness, presence, and service. After all, every small act of love is a reflection of the greatest gift: Emmanuel, God with us. And that’s a gift worth sharing with everyone we meet.