The Meaning of Gifts

The holiday season is still ongoing. We find ourselves “busy” with various parties and reunions. For some, especially if you are in a country where Christian traditions are deeply rooted, this is a time when even those who don’t often go to church may find themselves stepping inside one.

And yet, in the midst of this “busyness,” we are also given a chance to reflect.

Anthropologist Marcel Mauss, in his classic work The Gift, explored how gift exchanges in tribal communities in the Pacific Islands serve as more than simple acts of generosity. In these societies, gifts function as a social glue, binding communities together. Through giving and receiving, individuals become part of a shared consciousness that transcends personal gain. In giving, people set themselves aside for the sake of the whole.

Gifts in Modern Society

This idea of gift-giving as a unifying force is just as relevant today. While modern society often measures value through monetary transactions, gifts carry a different significance. They are not defined by their price but by the meaning behind the act of giving. Each gift takes on a unique value depending on the giver, the receiver, and the connection they share. It’s true that money, as one of humanity’s greatest inventions, simplifies exchange. But gifts remain irreplaceable because they go beyond mere transactions. They remind us of our shared humanity.

And so, this season prompts us to ask: What are gifts, truly? What lies behind them? At their essence, gifts are something given—something offered freely. To be given means that there is someone who gives, and in receiving, there is someone who is remembered.

The Beauty of Giving and Receiving

In this season, we remember those who think of us, who are willing to give us their gifts. And we, in turn, give to those we remember. This simple exchange is beautiful because it connects us. It is why we gather, meet, and reunite during this time of year. But it’s important to recognize that this season is not about boasting of what we give or receive. On the contrary, it is a time to reflect on the deeper truth that nothing is not given. Everything we have is a gift, born of our interconnectedness.

Within this understanding, we can let go of ourselves—not to lose our individuality, but to recognize that no one stands alone. No one should boast, because the act of giving and receiving is made possible only through the relationships and connections that bind us together. In this way, the Buddhist teaching of non-self offers an important insight: that life is not about the individual but about the interdependent whole.

Non-Self and the Christian Perspective

Interestingly, this concept of non-self is not foreign to Christianity. One verse that comes to mind is the first phrase of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). This suggests that when we let go of seeking for ourselves, we are truly “blessed.” Meister Eckhart captures this beautifully when he says that if you don’t will for yourself, God wills on your behalf. Another striking example comes from Jesus Christ’s words: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Both verses point us toward the same truth: a life of selflessness leads to fullness.

But there is another dimension to this teaching that I hold dear: the idea that all gifts come from Him. They are not ours to seek or claim. Gifts, in the truest sense, come from beyond us. “From Him” encompasses the universe and all the interconnected beings within it. This is why Jesus taught that God allows rain to fall on both the good and the bad (Matthew 5:45). It is an expression of His boundless giving, not limited by human distinctions. And it is also why we are called to love not only our neighbors but even our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

If this is true, then everything is indeed a gift. And every gift is ultimately from above. As Scripture reminds us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Image by Ronalds