"Re-Gifting Christmas" - Bishop Mike Coyner

Have you ever re-gifted? Have you ever received a gift which was not something you wanted to keep, so at a future event you wrapped up that same gift and gave it to someone else? That is known as “re-gifting” and probably most of us have done it. Marsha and I attended a party last night which included “White Elephant” gifts, and I suspect all of those items were re-gifted, and that was part of the fun.

Some gifts are good candidates for re-gifting: that sweater from a distant relative who just never seems to get your size, color, or style correct; that decorative item which looks ugly in your house; that religious ornament which is, well, tacky. We all receive gifts which seem to be candidates – or temptations – to re-gift to someone else. There is one commercial on TV right now which shows a gosh-awful sweater being gifted and re-gifted around a full circle until it comes back to the guy who originally gave it. That is re-gifting.

But there are other gifts which seem to be good candidates for re-gifting because they are meant to be shared: that big box of candy which can be shared with family and friends; that family heirloom or genealogy book which simply must be passed along to a younger generation; or that photo which you took and enjoyed but you would like to share with a friend. There are wonderful gifts, usually gifts of the heart, which are meant to be re-gifted because they are enjoyed more when they are shared.

I have had several conversations lately with people who are doing well in this bad economy and they are struggling with what psychologists call “survivor guilt.” When everyone else seems be suffering or losing their jobs, how do you deal with your own success? When lots of friends are out looking for jobs, how do you respond to getting a bonus which you earned, but which seems somehow selfish to keep? The only answer I can offer is this: re-gift. Share your blessings with others. All of us have been helped in the past by someone, and that gift of help is meant to be re-gifted to someone else. Re-gifting can be a good thing, when we acknowledge that we have been blessed in order to be a blessing to someone else.

The gift of Christmas is meant to be Re-Gifted. The joy and love and peace and spirit of this season are meant to be shared. In fact, when we attempt to hoard Christmas, to recreate the experiences of a previous Christmas, or to isolate ourselves away to have a Merry Christmas, that never works. Christmas is always meant to be Re-Gifted.

I pray that you will receive the Gift of Christ this Christmas, and then … Re-Gift! Merry Christmas.

from Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church