As a child, I was always reminded that it was better to give than to receive. For a long time, however, it was hard for me to understand how anything could be better than opening that American Girl doll or a Sega Genesis on Christmas morning.
The anticipation and excitement of opening presents and having gifts under the tree was amazing and brings wonderful memories that I still cherish to this day.
As I have grown up, my perspective has changed. I am still excited to see gifts under the Christmas tree, but they are the things that I have picked out for loved ones and the excitement of getting to share those with others. The ability to be able to give gifts is something I love about this time of year.
Wrapping something up in pretty paper and having the joy of watching someone else open a gift is now, to me, the best part of Christmas. I look forward to the Christmas season not because I am excited for the things that will be given to me, but for the joy I share with family and friends in giving gifts to others.
In this season of wrapping paper and bows, we can give another kind of gift. This is a gift that you will never see wrapped under the Christmas tree but one that you will see echoed throughout the community. The Catholic Services Appeal is a vital source of funding for more than 100 ministries and services offered throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville.
A donation to the Catholic Services Appeal this Advent season can help our brothers and sisters in need by supporting the work of Catholic Charities, providing formation for our future priests and supporting our young people through youth ministry and Catholic education.
There are so many ways our lives and those of others are enriched through the programs and services supported by the Catholic Services Appeal.
So once the tree is packed up, the wrapping paper is stored away, and the last Christmas cookie is eaten, we are still able to give a gift that keeps on giving by supporting the Catholic Services Appeal.
Through our generosity, we are giving the gift of bringing Christ to others.
Sarah Wunderlin is the coordinator for annual giving for the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Mission Advancement.
