There is a simple offertory song that has become my favourite. I do appreciate the strong, resounding words and music of the doxology -

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known Creator, Word and Spirit, One.” Sung with the repeating amens gives me shivers, ( the good kind!) and knowing that the words were written way back in 1674 by Thomas Kent, adds weight and importance to the message. ‘What Can I Do?’ is much newer, written in 2005 by Paul Rumbolt and Michele McCarthy, and it is a joyful song of offering and dedication- “What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing? I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.”So joyful, so up beat, so encompassing.

I’m certainly not the first to remind you that Christmas is but five weeks away! The neighbourhood is already blessed with fantastic holiday lights, and an evening walk reveals that many homes have their trees up and decorated. The festive music has begun as has the planning and the stressing. When we can see that there are so many ways we can give to our families and communities it can take some of the pressure off. Close friends and family members have heard my stories many times and I’ll tell some of them again. It is the little things we unconsciously do that can be a gift, a blessing, to others, known  and unknown. A few years ago I met with a family in the morning, planning a farewell. My schedule included another such visit in the afternoon. A heavy day. For a change of mind set, I stopped at a local fast food restaurant. The young lad, swabbing the floor, was quietly singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. The threads of that song, offered without a thought or intention, brought my frayed edges together. What can I sing? There is a quiet (well… not always quiet!) friend that bakes the best ever tea biscuits. Finding a tray of these warm from the oven delicacies is a gift beyond measure. She has some idea of how much I appreciate her culinary skills. What can I bring?

I know how I used to stress over gift giving. It was a combination of finding the perfect gift and balancing a budget. At my stage of life, these are not pressing problems. When the grandchildren were young I explained to their parents that there were no or minimum gifts all year round, but we would all enjoy a summer vacation. No Christmas, Easter, Valentine, birthday, or any other cause for celebration gifts but one fine experience in summer.

Before too long we will be offered gift catalogues from faith and community organisations. Several of my cousins have already decided that they are gifting a third world family with chickens. There are so many ways we can share that are meaningful, here at home and around the world.  What can I do? I’ll say a prayer, I’ll bring my love, I’ll do my share.