By Kayla DeKraker
December brings about thoughts of decorated department stores, twinkling lights and holiday celebration, but the mother of actress Margaret O’Brien reminds us what Christmas is really all about — simple acts of kindness, family traditions and the importance of giving.
Though living in a modest apartment, Margaret’s family turned their home into a space of holiday magic starting in November. The actress’ mother recounted in 1948, “Christmas has always meant a great deal to her. In the first place, she loves surprises. Surprises for someone else, rather than herself, although I wouldn’t be honest if I said that she fails to get a thrill out of receiving gifts as well as giving them.”
In the O’Brien household, Christmas was never about what Margaret would receive; it was about the joy of giving. Weeks before Christmas, the young star would choose which toys to donate to those in need. She did this all with excitement to help someone else.
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Her mother explained that “It has only been since the end of the war that Margaret and I have had a chance to spend the holidays at home. During the war, our Christmas days were devoted to visiting children whose fathers were far away fighting in the Armed Forces.”
She also shared how the MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS actress loved to plan gifts to give her mother — one store bought and one home made. She emphasized Margaret’s thoughtfulness, saying, “As far as her own presents are concerned, Margaret is easy to please. But it takes her days to choose gifts for her friends.”
Her mother concluded, “I hope she will never lose the thrill of giving — or the wonderful lift in spirit that Christmas gives to us all.”
Acts 20:35 reminds us of the importance of giving: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Giving doesn’t just make us feel good; there are science-backed benefits.
“There was a study that gave people $100, and if they spent it on themselves, yeah, they’re a little bit happy. But if they spent it on other people, they were significantly happier for even up to a month later. So, doing a little bit of good helps us in return,” Dr. Shilagh Mirgain told WMTV.
He continued, “It will help somebody in ways you can’t even imagine. But, most importantly, it will help you feel that sense of value and purpose this holiday season. It will make you feel good.”
O’Brien’s heart of giving is a powerful reminder of what really matters this Christmas season.
Read Next: Candace Cameron Bure Talks ‘Giving is Living’ with Author Mitch Albom
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