All of us have had experience with Secret Santa gifts. Maybe it was in elementary school or Girl Scouts or even in an office setting, but we’re familiar with the inexpensive gift-giving done anonymously to someone assigned to us.
Keeping secrets is always fun, at Christmas or any time. Last week, for example, I received something that was given in secret. While Birgitta, Emerald, and I were away from home, someone came to our door and left an envelope on the front mat.
I didn’t recognize the writing, and when I opened it, I expected to see a “from who.” Instead of a signature there was a lavish gift card and a short message: “Go get some donuts, diapers or dog treats – whatever you need. Wishing you God Speed. Your friend.” Tucked inside was a gift card for $100!
Birgitta and I studied the handwriting, trying to determine if we’d seen it before. Was it a woman’s writing? A man’s? Was it a young person? Someone older? I began asking around, but no one would claim responsibility. I wish I could say thanks, but anonymous gift-givers usually aren’t looking for that.
Giving gifts in secret is practically a lost art these days. When wealthy people donate to an institution, they’re happy to have a building named after them. When philanthropic organizations give, they make sure the source and its purpose is announced publically. When I give a present, I hope the recipient will feel my love behind the choice of gift, so I sign my name. And when I put something in the church offering, the envelope I use has my name on it.
It’s reasonable to want credit for our gifts. Giving anonymously is done only with careful intention, and very few do it. But when Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than receive,” he meant it for non-credited givers as well as those hoping for credit. Maybe those whose gifts are given in secret somehow enjoy their giving even more than the rest of us.
What kind of person gives anonymously? Maybe it’s someone who simply loves keeping secrets. Or it might be a person who doesn’t want a relationship to be tipped one way or another by the size or type of gift. It’s also possible the anonymous giver just wants to be sure the gift can’t be given back, in case the receiver considers it too generous.
God is all for secretive giving. Using an interesting metaphor, he says in Scripture that we shouldn’t even let one of our hands know what the other is giving. The Bible also says that if no credit is sought on earth, the giver will be credited in heaven. (And if I know God at all, it’ll probably significantly magnified.)
So, dear anonymous friend, thank you for your very generous gift. God watched you leave it at my house and is personally planning something very special for you!
“When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4)
Margaret, Jif and I are sitting up late tonight following the crushing blow of Gov. Romney’s defeat. I’m so often remin ded these days of Ps. 31:15, “Your times are in His hands.” I’m trusting in Him tonight.:) We’ve just read the last few of your blogs, always a wonderful treat.:) I had every intention of getting a note in the mail to you remembering Nate on his home-going anniversary. I even had it on the calendar! But, alas, my days overflowed and I didn’t get it done. I know you understand and will forgive my oversight. Thanks for that. Good to hear from you recently about your b-day note. Glad that you received it and that you thought the tale about our Amy would be an encouragement to Birgitta. Don and I are planning to head to Virginia when Emmett is born, due early December. Lewis was 2 weeks early, so we’re already on guard knowing we may not have as long as we think.:) I’m rambling now, so I’ll go. Just wanted to make this contact with you while I was reading and thinking of you. Love, Sue
P.S. Thanks for the info about Emerald’s birth. Such a momentous time!:) Love, love, love the “Louisa” middle name. I didn’t have that info when I sent the little pkg.
Dear Anonymous Gift Giver, I’m sending this blog to you, because the writer says so perfectly how I felt last Sat. In the middle of a 4 day meeting, at the “Mother Ship” –when every second was planned and purposeful, I dashed back to my room for some R & R, and was surprised to find this box on the bed. Expecting a laptop at some point, it was clear that this was either a very chubby laptop, or something quite unexpected. As my room mate watched, fascinated, I opened each individual component, (wrapped to withstand a nuclear blast) and eventually lined up 3 charming miniature tea pots with LIVE African violets nestled inside! And the card…(am I really your “favorite”?? 🙂 THANK YOU.!! You gave in secret but this is the most public way I know to say your giving has spread a fragrant aroma all around the globe! And the teapots are on their California windowsill, reminding me that big things come in small packages, and a generous person’s secret giving blesses many! May your tribe increase!
I’m sure your generous friend would like you to just ‘turn on your receiver’ and accept the gift in the same manner it is given. Be blessed in knowing what a blessing you are to others, known and unknown.