Bearing gifts for the listener (8)
I believe the answer is:
presence
'bearing' is the definition.
('presence' can be a synonym of 'bearing')
'gifts for the listener' is the wordplay.
'gifts' becomes 'presents' ('present' can be a synonym of 'gift').
'for the listener' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'presents' is a homophone of 'PRESENCE'.
(Other definitions for presence that I've seen before include "Being there or close by" , "Imposing appearance" , "Personal appearance, aura" , "Demeanour" , "Charisma; mien" .)