On the 1st Day of Christmas Past Re-cast:
Question: Today’s “Light the World” is to give like Jesus did. What did Elder Perry say we can receive from giving?
To be entered into today’s drawing giveaway – Read the story below; “Comment” & “Share” your answer on Facebook or our blog.
Sunshine in an Orphanage
Many years ago I found myself as part of occupation troops in a foreign land just at the end of a terrible war. It was not long after we arrived in this country before we developed a great love and concern for the people we were there to watch over. This was especially true of the young people, the children. Many times we would find them scavenging in our garbage cans looking for food to keep themselves alive. This deeply touched us, and we wanted to make a more substantial contribution to them. We raised what money we could and found a local religious group that was willing to open an orphanage for them. We donated as much time as possible to improve the facilities and provided them with the operating funds they needed.
As Christmas approached, we sent letters home to our families asking that, instead of sending gifts to us, they send toys for the children in the orphanage. The response of our families was overwhelming! Toys arrived daily from our homes.
We found a tree suitable to use as a Christmas tree, but we had no traditional decorations for it. A lady taught us how to make little birds by folding square pieces of paper, and these became the major part of the decorations for the tree. The presents were wrapped mostly in discarded Stars and Stripes newspapers. I’ll never forget Christmas Eve with those children. I am sure many of them had never seen a Christmas tree in their lives.
We sang Christmas carols to them, but we weren’t very good at this. They had been rehearsing for weeks so they could sing a song to us in English. It was not a Christmas carol, but it was beautiful. They sang “You Are My Sunshine.” We were deeply touched with the spirit of the children that Christmas Eve, especially as they opened the presents sent from our families. I suppose some of them had not had a toy in many, many years.
This is a Christmas I’ll never forget because we were learning the true meaning of this great holiday season. The greatest joy we can receive in life is giving—to bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness.
The greatest joy we can receive in life is giving—to bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness.
We can receive great joy and happiness in our lives by giving to others.
Elder Perry said that giving is the greatest joy that we can receive and I agree! I have found that very true in my life as well.
The greatest joy!
We always feel the spirit of giving more at Christmas and we think of those that are in need in a different light,
The greatest joy is in giving. I believe it is the gift from the heart, from a place of love, compassion is not only the greatest gift, but the greatest joy
We are often not aware of those around us who are in need of everything in their lives. If we reach out and minister to all with our love and things they may be in need of!
Love this story of men in a war found the opportunity to serve others by making Christmas,a time of giving,a new and special day for these orphans. As these men watched the childrens faces I’m sure they were blessed for giving and sharing.
Giving is getting. In my job I dont give gifts but I give time and attention and I get more rewards than I ever thought was possible. I feel the love of my residents and see the change in their demeanor.
Giving brings joy to the receiver, but also much joy to the giver. It’s a miracle how that works.
Giving is the best joy we can receive & from the heart during the Holidays & all year long.
We personally receive the greatest joy we can in life, by giving. The people we service and receive our gift(s) are able to have a little joy and happiness in their life.
We can receive the greatest joy by giving and bringing happiness to others.
Elder Perry stated that when we give, we have an opportunity to feel the greatest show that we can receive in life. He and a group of fellow soldiers sought out ways to serve the children of a war-torn land, which allowed the soldiers this opportunity.
This reminds me so much of what we do at the U. Every year we have an Angel Tree, where there are names of underprivileged children and their Christmas wishes. We pick a name from that tree and give them what they wish for. This gives me so much joy knowing how it will bring smile to these children’s faces when they open their gifts. It also builds their trust in humanity knowing that there are people who care for them.
The joy of the season is not with receiving. But with giving.
Loved reading this story and I agree with Elder Perry that we can find our greatest joys when we give as the Savior gave. The Savior knew what people needed and gave them the peace and comfort they needed as well as the physical health and strength. We must learn how to “Hear Him” to know what is needed and how to give. We then will receive the joy that comes when we truly help others.
Elder Perry said the greatest joy in life is giving. There are many ways we can do this; time, love, service. All of these bring joy.
Elder Perry tells us with his sweet story, that we receive more joy giving than we do receiving. We emulate the Savior when we give.
We can feel the true spirit of Christmas when we give because the greatest joy comes from giving, especially when we can see great need.
The greatest joy we can receive in life is giving—to bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness.
When we give to others we receive great and marvelous joy. It is so remarkable that the giver and the one that receives finds this wonderful joy.
The greatest joy in giving into bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness
What we get from giving gifts is Joy. We find joy when we bring joy to someone else.
The results of giving gifts to others is a feeling of Joy.
We can receive great joy by bringing joy to others!
Elder Perry said when we give we receive so much joy in return. He experienced greater joy that Christmas because he sacrificed his time, talents and money for someone else to have a place to live and a Christmas!
We receive more joy from giving than those receiving. We develop love for others.
The greatest joy we can receive in life is giving—to bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness.
This is what giving gifts is all about. Brining joy to others.
We can receive the greatest joy in giving to others, in bringing joy into their lives. What a sweet story! It about brought me to tears reading about how the kids learned to sing You Are My Sunshine in English for them. That’s one of my favorites!