Blessing

Perhaps the most important thing I learned from a recent visit to the Tzu Chi Buddhist sect in Taiwan was the concept of gan en or, in Fookienese, kam un. It loosely translates to gratitude, but it is more than that, going beyond a mere “thank you” or hsieh hsieh. It is an acknowledgment and humble acceptance of blessing; the second character, en, means blessing.

In this season of merriment, of festivity, of giving and receiving, it is an appropriate and important lesson to learn. Every gift is a blessing, and this refers not just to material gifts, but anything offered – an act of service, an encouraging word, a deed of kindness, a cup of water – without thought of payment or return. Very easily we say thank you – sometimes we don’t even bother – without really thinking about it, a perfunctory gesture, like it’s a matter of course.

Giving has always been said to be more blessed; but receiving with grace and gratitude is also a blessing, for it completes the act of giving and allows both the giver and the recipient to be blessed. Some people – I must admit I count myself among these people on many occasions – find it difficult to receive, thinking that it implies some measure of weakness or need, or that it is an imposition on the giver. But sometimes, we must allow people to give, and not refuse the gift, especially when it is given from the heart, gladly, unexpectedly even. To accept such a gift with sincere, heartfelt gratitude – with kan en – honors the giver.

Christmas is the season of giving because the greatest gift was given to humankind that first Christmas over 2,000 years ago. The Gift – of Christ the Messiah who gives life eternal, of salvation, of reconciliation with God – was not wrapped in tinsel or ribbon but in swaddling cloths. But the great value of the Gift was unmistakable – the angels filled the heavens and sang in praise and joy, and human history was changed. This Gift given to us is totally undeserved, and cannot by any word or deed be earned. We can only accept with humble gratitude and sing praise as the angels did. Maligayang Pasko!