Have you finished your Christmas
shopping yet? If you're like a majority of Americans, you still have people on
your list for whom there is no gift under the tree. It can be difficult to find
the “right” gift for some. Then, too, some of us miss the meaning of the
effort. How do you approach your Christmas shopping? Let me point out various
kinds of gifting that will happen on the 25th.
The CHEAP shopper is driven by one goal - buying something, anything, that satisfies the need to offer a present. He wants to spend as little money or energy as possible. My one question to this person is - "why bother?" You have missed the meaning of Christmas entirely. Save yourself the effort because the person who receives your 'gift' will only be obligated to write an insincere 'thank you' note!
The HURRIED shopper just wanted to get it over and done. He darts from store to store, grabbing this and that and checking off the names on his list. Obligation, not love, is the primary drive behind their search.
The "PAY MY DEBTS" shopper hopes that with one gift, usually one that is far too extravagant, that she can make up for her failures through the year. No gift can do this, and this shopper is sadly set up for disappointment already!
The "I'D SURE LIKE THAT" who buys gifts he would like to receive. His gifts are often very nice, they do not bless the recipient; they just don't 'fit.' Why? Because, at the heart, he's selfish. His gifts are not thoughtfully chosen because he is too in love with himself to be aware of what really going on outside of his own skin.
The "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" finds the heart of Christmas! This person thinks carefully about the tastes, the needs, the personality of the person for whom she is getting a gift and, after a careful search, prepares a gift that she presents for no reason other than the joy of blessing another. Her gift has no payment, no obligation, nor guilt attached!
This is how God gave to us. The Bible says that “God so loved ____________________ (insert your name here) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV) This passage amplifies the promise: "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT) He is totally sufficient in Himself, yet He gave. He has no aim other than to bring us life. His Gift was rich, prepared from eternity, given to settle my debts, based on my need, and shaped by His love for me!
The CHEAP shopper is driven by one goal - buying something, anything, that satisfies the need to offer a present. He wants to spend as little money or energy as possible. My one question to this person is - "why bother?" You have missed the meaning of Christmas entirely. Save yourself the effort because the person who receives your 'gift' will only be obligated to write an insincere 'thank you' note!
The HURRIED shopper just wanted to get it over and done. He darts from store to store, grabbing this and that and checking off the names on his list. Obligation, not love, is the primary drive behind their search.
The "PAY MY DEBTS" shopper hopes that with one gift, usually one that is far too extravagant, that she can make up for her failures through the year. No gift can do this, and this shopper is sadly set up for disappointment already!
The "I'D SURE LIKE THAT" who buys gifts he would like to receive. His gifts are often very nice, they do not bless the recipient; they just don't 'fit.' Why? Because, at the heart, he's selfish. His gifts are not thoughtfully chosen because he is too in love with himself to be aware of what really going on outside of his own skin.
The "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" finds the heart of Christmas! This person thinks carefully about the tastes, the needs, the personality of the person for whom she is getting a gift and, after a careful search, prepares a gift that she presents for no reason other than the joy of blessing another. Her gift has no payment, no obligation, nor guilt attached!
This is how God gave to us. The Bible says that “God so loved ____________________ (insert your name here) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV) This passage amplifies the promise: "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT) He is totally sufficient in Himself, yet He gave. He has no aim other than to bring us life. His Gift was rich, prepared from eternity, given to settle my debts, based on my need, and shaped by His love for me!
In your gift-giving, make LOVE the reason.
Having trouble finding a gift for someone on your list? Relax
and think about who they are, what they need, and how you can express love in a
language they'll understand. It will come to you! The best gifts are, like
God's gift to us, a gift of ourselves.
________________
How Great Our Joy
While by the sheep we watched at night.
Glad tidings brought an angel bright.
How great our joy (great our joy)
Joy, joy, joy! (joy joy joy)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high)
There shall be born, so he did say,
In Bethlehem a Child today.
How great our joy. (great our joy)
Joy, joy, joy! (joy joy joy)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high)
This gift of God we'll cherish well
That ever joy our hearts shall fill.
How great our joy. (great our joy)
Joy, joy, joy! (joy joy joy)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high)
Theodore Baker
Public Domain
(Yes, you have seen this before. Many
commented on it when first written so I offered it again.)
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