During this season of Christmas we reflect on gifts. The gift of the Father to us is his Son Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. "God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten Son." We too are a gift of the Father, who delights in us. We are made in his own image and likeness. Our life is a reflection of his love for us.  How often we fail to see ourselves as a gift and to rejoice in the gift we are. When we do, we are expressing our gratitude to God. At the same time, we are a gift to others and they to us. The gift we can give is wrapped in love and service, is lived in peace and communion, is marked by forgiveness and mercy.