Contrary to what some uppity, even proprietary Christians may proclaim, the ritual of giving gifts did not begin 2013 years ago in Bethlehem. The essence, which is steeped in human spirituality, began to emerge out of the darkness of purely instinctive behavior about 100,000 years ago. It is intriguing to wonder who the first “caveman” or “cave woman” was who crafted something out of wood or stone, or perhaps found a rare gemstone, and offered it to a “loved one” as a gift. The practice has improved as human culture and creativity have improved, but the urge to share gifts is as ancient and universal as a motherly love. Paraphrasing John Woolman; “It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion, nor excluded from any.”
It is because of the universality of giving that all of humanity can celebrate the essence, if not the religious aspect, of Christmas. I have Jewish, Buddhist and Native American friends who exchange gifts at Christmastime. There are many non-believers and agnostics who experience the joy of giving and receiving gifts.
On the other hand, there are few stories, like the 2,000 mile round-trip that three “astrologers” took to offer their most precious gifts to the Christ-child, that help illuminate spirituality. Or who could read Charles Dickens’, “A Christmas Carol” and conclude that Ebenezer Scrooge, not Tiny Tim, was the hero of the story. Using his signature tool of irony in, “Gift of the Magi,” O.Henry poignantly tells the story of the deep love that a young married couple shared at Christmas.
In all of stories, the gifts were merely symbols of a deeper human calling.
I strongly suspect that with 10 children, Charles Darwin celebrated the Christmas Holiday, even though his theory had no explanation for the emergence of spirituality. Sharks have been cruising through the oceans for over 450 million years; birds have been flying the skies for over 100 million years; the survival of all of these animals is heavily, if not totally, dependent on instinctive behavior. In other words, they have little need for values, consciousness and free will.
This is what Loren Eiseley was referring to when he wrote:
“I have been accused of wooly-mindedness for entertaining
even hope for man. I can only respond that
in the dim morning shadows of humanity, the inarticulate
creature who first hesitantly formed the words
for pity and love must have received similar guffaws
around a fire. Yet some men listened, for the words
survive.” The Immense Journey
There is no scientific theory or utilitarian philosophy that can explain the mystery, magic, wonder and joy that many (especially children) experience at Christmastime. For scientists who have put all of their trust and faith in science, Christmas must be like one of Scrooge’s nightmares. We can only hope that they will have a “Grinchian” epiphany and discover: “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas—perhaps, means a little bit more.” Dr. Seuss