The American Spectator : Christmas Reflection: A Lesson in Giving

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Christmas Reflection: A Lesson in Giving

By Quin Hillyer on 12.23.09 @ 6:09AM

A bum, a bunny, and some bread.

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"Hey, you," OM said to Old White, tapping him on the shoulder. Old White looked up, and leaned a bit away as if unsure of what was coming next. He didn't look as if he knew OM; they apparently were strangers. Anyway, OM then reached way down deep into his sport jacket pocket with his non-sandwich hand… and his hand emerged with a handful of greenback bills, perhaps seven or even eight of them, of indeterminate denominations that OM didn't even bother to check.

"I want you to have these," OM said to Old White, pressing the bills into an obviously surprised Old White's hands. And, without waiting for Old White to say anything, OM turned on his heels, took another bite of his steaming sandwich, and walked away with a jaunty stride….

From Luke 21: "Truly I tell you: this poor [man] has put in more than all of them; for [he] out of [his] poverty put in all the living that [he] had."

I watched OM stride away. Suddenly that quarter from deep in my pocket a year earlier seemed incredibly small….

* * *

No matter how fallen somebody is, he can still give, as can all of us. No matter how self-satisfied we are, we can learn from the examples of others. For we already have been given so much, and taught so much, from and through the example of the greatest Giver of them all.

An Episcopalian minister and writer named Martin Bell once wrote a hauntingly sad but beautiful little Christmas short story called "Barrington Bunny," from a collection of Bell's stories called "The Way of The Wolf: The Gospel in New Images." The story tells of how on a cold Christmas Eve, Barrington found himself alone because he was the only bunny in his particular forest -- but, moved by love, Barrington hopped around and left gifts at all the other animals' houses: a stick for the beaver's dam, and dead leaves and grass for the squirrels' nest, and so on. And with each gift, he left a simple note that said: "This is a gift. A free gift. No strings attached. Signed, a member of your family."

That's the sort of gift handed by OM to Old White on that cold day in 1983, one with no strings attached. And I, the observer, could only stare in wonder, my old judgments upended, my former certainties somewhat scrambled.

On Friday, Christians celebrate a gift far more profound, but given just as freely as the wadded-up dollar bills OM gave to Old White. For that far more profound gift on that first Christmas Day, it was shepherds who stared in wonder.

As indeed all Christians still stare in wonder, for the gifts of the Lord are glorious to behold. The living Bread alone is enough, for it provides all the sustenance we need.

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[1] This is a story, first told in The HOYA newspaper at Georgetown University, that I re-tell in a new column about every ten years or so, each time from memory (rather than by looking at my previous columns on this subject) and with the differing perspectives caused by the passing of time -- so, some minor emphases in details may change, but not the basic facts of the story.

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topics:
Christmas

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (17) | Leave a comment

Ned| 12.23.09 @ 7:24AM

I have thought of the ability to give and what it means to each individual quite often lately.
I think of a man who has a million dollars and gives away ten percent. This is one hundred thousand dollars. With that, you can give one hundred people a thousand bucks each. He has helped one hundred people considerably, but still he only given away ten percent.
Now take a man who has ten dollars. He sees someone in need and gives him five dollars. He has given away fifty percent, but his help is limited, and only to one person.
Who is the better man?
The richer man could give away more, even all at one time, but if he becomes destitute he can never help anyone again, hurting many recipients.
The poor man gave away fifty percent of his money but how many did it help and how much did it help? The poorer man might even say, "What the hell, fifty percent of nothing is still nothing, I might as well give it away."
The richer man knows the value of money since he has worked hard for it, so when he gives his away, even though it is ten percent it is felt deeply. Yet the poor man is hungry or needs to support a habit, and five bucks is an immediate and deeply felt loss.
Who is the better man?
One has used all his God given talents to earn more and so he can help more, but is it enough? The other has not used his God given talents to full advantage, but gives half of what he has away. Did he do enough?
This brings me to think of the part near the ending of movie “Schindler’s List” when the people saved by Oskar give him the ring. Despite all he has done he breaks down and wonders aloud if he should have done more. He could have sold his car, clothes, and other possessions and saved more lives, but he didn’t. He still kept enough to save himself. Was this wrong or selfish? If he had given to much his ability to help may have been compromised and no one would have benefited.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. That is a great story Quin. If you are ever in a small town in Utah and see me walking my dogs, rest assured I do not just exist as a prop to hold leashes while the dogs perform the really important work of this world. I am doing my duty and also thinking of other things as well. Merry Christmas.

Margie| 12.23.09 @ 2:24PM

Ned,
Your post makes me think of the story about the widow's mite (penny) in the Bible in Mark 12:42-44.

"And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."

Appleby| 12.23.09 @ 7:34AM

Charity begins at home. And in many cases it should stay there.

How many people who are out marching and chanting for clean water in Africa have family members who are quietly sinking down, who may be going without food in order to feed their children ... whose spinster sister may be taking full responsibility for their elderly mother or father and faltering under the burden.

How many of the people who are reviled for Not Doing Enough are obeying the Lords injunction not to blow a trumpet and announce their deeds to the world, but are secretly and quietly carrying half the neighbourhood?

There was an elderly woman in Florida who won a huge lottery jackpot and who continued to live a quiet, comfortable life with her cats and dropped from sight of the world. Upon her death hundreds of people attended her memorial service to testify how she had helped them secretly and quietly and instructed them never to tell a soul.

It is not a good idea to assume that the person who passes by the bum in the street or does not march for Africa is doing nothing ... or the person who still has enough left for a good life is not giving anything away. At the Judgment, God will make the call.

Oldefarte| 12.23.09 @ 10:54AM

As sad and unfortionate as this story is, there are [and forever will be] millions of OM's in this world. Mostly, they somehow brought their own misfortion upon themselves; and my sympathies for them has disapated years prior. It is only necessary that society/government provide various shelters from cold and warm meals to same, nothing more. We all could become OM's, but some of us find the courage, fortitude, hard work and determination to raise ourselves up above the 'mean street' of this world [and so could have OM if he truly desired same]. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Quin, to you and your family [and thanks for your excellent articles]!!!!!!!!!!!

Tim| 12.23.09 @ 12:13PM

Luke 21:34-36 (New International Version)

34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

TennesseeVolunteer| 12.23.09 @ 2:06PM

Quin, best wishes for a Merry Xmas.
To all of the frequent posters on American Spectator: Thank you for your knowledge and wise counsel. I learn much from all of you and appreciate y'alls gracious reading of my own. Merry CHRISTmas!

Margie| 12.23.09 @ 2:43PM

It sounds like OM may have hit the lottery or something, but let's hope not. I hope he just was able to get himself a job and was so thankful that he gave the other unfortunate guy some of what he earned.
I used to live in NYC. I used to go with other Christians and give the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people on the streets. I've run into many OM's.. what I learned to do when they begged for money is not to give them money, but something to eat or drink. This way I wouldn't be contributing to their drug or alcohol problem. They used to get very mad at that sometimes but that's the way it goes.
As to the question of giving~ Remember what the good Lord says~
"Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7
I know that God looks at the heart, so whatever you or I give if we choose to, if from a glad heart, would be pleasing to Him, would it not?

Merry Christmas Quin (my Nephew's name too, he's a year old), and to everyone here.
God bless everyone.
God bless our wonderful country.

Ned| 12.24.09 @ 10:32AM

"Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7

Thanks Margie, I don't know the Bible, but that is very close to the answer I was seeking.
Merry Christmas.

Margie| 12.24.09 @ 12:10PM

Excellent!
God bless & Merry Christmas!

Tony in Central PA| 12.23.09 @ 3:09PM

Great story.
There's another side to giving secretly, or least quietly. It easier to be charitable when it isn't expected.

JimE| 12.23.09 @ 5:01PM

Sounds like OM robbed or mugged someone.

laurie gross| 12.23.09 @ 9:58PM

When i see that even in a recession, many are celebrating Christmas with excess. The materialism grates like nails on a chalkboard. It is good to remember that we have already been given our gift. Our gift is Jesus and the promise of eternal life.

Sam| 12.24.09 @ 2:06AM

So Margie that brings up an interesting question. I have quietly given money and wished people well on the streets a few times. But I don't know if I believe in God or Jesus and definitely not Christian doctrine. Does being a non-believer negate good deeds? What fate does God have in store for me?

Margie| 12.24.09 @ 12:19PM

Sam,
If you are truly concerned about your fate from God, as we all ought to rightly be, then just the fact that you are concerned and that you say your fate would come by Him.. you are thereby acknowledging Him. So, I guess you believe that He exists!
Sam, it is His will that none should perish. Remember John 3:16, the most famous verse in the whole Bible?
It says this:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Jesus died on the cross concerning the sins of the whole world, and that has to include you!
Let your conscience be your guide.
Wise men still seek Him. Ps. 53:2

Ned| 12.24.09 @ 10:36AM

Sam, I know you didn't ask me the above questions, but I will give my answers for them anyway.
A good deed is a good deed.
You will have to ask Him that.