Why being fully present is the greatest gift we can give

With holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas upon us, the season of gratitude and generosity has bloomed across the world. We strive to show our love and appreciation for one another through gifting and togetherness. But in the hustle and bustle of trying to "make it feel right" we can often forget how to "make it feel safe" for the little ones in our lives.

I've learned in the last five years with my own son, my nieces, and my nephews, that the most desired gift is presence. Not presents. When I'm around for our holiday celebrations, they know that their Auntie Mina is there to help, love, and support them just as much as the grownups in the room. They want to see me delight in their attempts at frosting cookies or hear how loud they can blow a horn. They want to hear me marvel at how much candy they won during dreidel. They want to know that I'm present for their experience, not just my own. Even if it's for all of a minute and a half.

As a father has compassion on his children, so ADONAI has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame. He remembers that we are but dust.

- Psalm 103:13-14 TLV

The stories behind Hanukkah and Christmas are intrinsically tied together across the centuries through presence as well. During Hanukkah, the Jewish people cried out for ADONAI to be with them as they fought back against the darkness of destruction. And in the miracle of oil, He showed up! He was present in the middle of their situation - a gift in itself, much less giving them victory in establishing the Kingdom of Judea once again.

Likewise, Christmas at its core is supposed to be the celebration of God arriving though time and space into our reality. He became present among us! Immanuel!

So, as we celebrate these historic and unparalleled miracles, I want to encourage you to focus on the gift of your presence. (As "hokey" as that may sound.)

This season, ask yourself:

• Are you approaching your children with kind words as they run around the house on their break from school?
  
  
• Are you bringing peace into any room you enter whether it's at any corporate gathering, office party, or candlelight service? Is His presence with you?
  
  
• Is your heart burdened with compassion towards your neighbor or co-worker who hasn't really said a nice thing to you all year?
  
  
• Have you looked at your extended family members with genuine kindness, realizing that there is so much to their lives that you don't know?

Each one of these things are critical because people will never remember what you did or said more than they'll remember how you made them feel in your presence.

All the lights in the world, whether Hanukkah candles or Christmas lights, will never compare to the Light of Yeshua in you this holiday season. So be the light. Speak grace. Walk humbly. Give abundantly.

So now, don’t be afraid. I myself will provide food for you and your little ones.' So he reassured them, speaking kindly to them."

- Genesis 50:21 TLV

And pay attention to how your little ones react when you're in the room. Be a safe place for little hearts to rest this holiday season by imagining that each child in front of you is just as precious as that one little bottle of holy oil or just as amazing as salvation made flesh.

But Yeshua said, 'Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'

- Matthew 19:14 TLV