Because this is the attitude common to the wise men and shepherds in their visit to the Bethlehem cave: they were full of joy. This is what he says about the Magi  the Gospel: «When they saw the star, they felt great joy», while the shepherds from Bethlehem «returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, as they had been told».

In these lines we are not referring to business of the gifts, enjoyment or affliction (depending on who spends or who earns) that accompanies Christmas consumerism every year. We are talking about a Christian custom, generous and sober, which does not clash with the memory of the birth of our Savior. 

First of all, it must be said that we are the ones who receive a true, wonderful Christmas gift: it is Jesus himself. The Father, who "did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not give us everything together with him?".  Enough of this and move on!

If we also give gifts, let them above all be rich in the joy of giving, even more than in their value, according to the advice of Saint Paul: «Each one should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not sadly or under compulsion, because God loves who gives with joy."

We give gifts to children because, in their simplicity, they easily connect the gift to the message. Let's tell them that it is Baby Jesus, through us, who brings them a gift and let's avoid the excesses that corrupt the healthy joy of those who know how to be satisfied.

We give gifts to the poor with alms because they will welcome us "into the eternal homes", as the Gospel tells us. 

Let's not forget to give prayers, a hidden but precious treasure. It would be nice if we accompanied our gifts by saying: "I also prayed for you". 

I conclude with a final recommendation and start from the positive impression I had in doing the monthly accounting of the Holy Masses that the Pious Union receives to distribute them to the missionaries; as well as in the month of March, offers reach their peak coinciding with Christmas. I thought that at Christmas many of our Associates give a gift to their deceased loved ones by offering a Holy Mass. Let us give this gift of prayer to our deceased!