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OUR LIFE MONTHLY, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Vol. XXXV JANUARY 1978 No 1 Editor Marta Baczynsky To All People of Good Will Chrystos Razhdaetsa Christ is Born Dear Subscribers, readers, supporters and all people of good will who happen to glance at this issue of Our Life. We wish you good health and happiness. May your spend this holiday in the cpmpany of all those who are dear to you. Perhaps all of your dearest friends and family will be unable to sit down together with you for a holiday supper, perhaps you are separated from them by dis tances, borders or oceans. But surely their thoughts and ours can conquer these obstacles. Thoughts can even penetrate the borders drawn by time: the old return to the past, the young race ahead to the future. There is, however, a greater obstacle than distance or time, one that is not so easily conquered, namely in tolerance. Not just differences of opinion, ideas or customs, but the lack of a basic human understanding Slavite Yoho Glorify Him for those who travel different roads, follow different ideas or simply have different preferences. Sometimes, perhaps even most often, it’s the insignificant and superficial differences that become insurmountable ob stacles between people and are the basis for enmity and hate. When one looks at these petty differences objectively one is able to recognize how unimportant they are. Enmity and hate are easily conquered by tolerance and understanding. In this holiday season let us exhibit good will towards others especially those with whom we differ. So it is that we address our holiday greetings to people of good will. May all good things come to them. Editor and staff of O u r L ife НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ, СІЧЕНЬ 1978 23 THE TALENT OF GIVING AND RECEIVING The giving and receiving of gifts is an established custom that goes back thousands of years. It seems a simple custom. We give gifts to friends and loved ones at various special occasions: weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. The gift itself depends on the means of the giver and the desires of the receiver. Christmas is a time characterized by abundant giving and receiving of gifts. The custom has its origin in the story of Christ’s birth and the three Magi who brought gifts from far away to the newborn Jesus on his birthday. All this is so obvious and clear that there is really no reason to repeat it. Yet, somehow, in the annual flood of Christmas presents, something essential to the giving of gifts is disappearing: gifts are losing their true meaning and are becoming brightly packaged items whose only value is spelled out on a price tag. A gift is an expression of love and friendship. It brings joy to both giver and receiver by reaffirming a bond that exists between them. The Magi didn’t travel great distances to deliver their gifts because they felt a vague sense of obligation to give gifrs to a child they had never seen. Their gifts and the long journey to Bethlthem were and still are symbolic of their faith in the possibility of redemption for mankind and their love for the child who personified that redemption. The gold, frankincense and murrh that brought with them were only tokens of their hope and joy at the birth of a Messiah. Modern Christmas celebrations are quite a contrast to that humble and happy scene.Gift giving has become an obligation, an additional chore to be disposed of as quickly as possible. The lustre of the package and the price of the gift determine our choice. When receiving gifts we scrutinize them carefully to ascertain their value and practicality and if not satisfied return or exchange them. Gift certificates have become a popular way to dispense with the troublesome burden of gift giving. It shouldn’t be this way at all. One has only to think of the love and tenderness that infuses the clumsily wrapped and inexpensive gifts that children give their parents. The joy in their faces when their gift is well re ceived is what gift giving is all about. How painful it would be for them if their gifts were critically examined and then exchanged. The giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas is a unique opportunity to bring joy to others, to express love, and to reaffirm friendships. Let’s not waste it.
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