(Today’s reflections are some I have shared just about every Christmas season. May God teach us to be like Him, giving because we love.)
Gifting. It’s a major part of our holiday season, isn’t it? Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Finding the “right” gift is not always easy. What’s appropriate? What will be meaningful? Admittedly, some of us miss the meaning gifting which is what I’ll address in a moment. Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which we give at Christmas .
The CHEAP giver 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 giver just wanted to get it over and done. She 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" giver 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 giver" buys gifts he would like to receive. His gifts are often very nice, but they do not bless the recipient. Why? They just don't 'fit.' Why? 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" giver 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!
The heart of the Christmas story is about God’s Gift that
was given for us, costly, to meet a real need, to restore us. The passage is so familiar you may be tempted
to skim through it, but let your mind and heart absort the words with
faith. “God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)
Paul exults in the extravagance of God’s gift. "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? 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!
And remember this - The best gifts are, like God's gift to us, the gift of ourselves; our love, our tender care, our gentle words, our encouragement.
Let’s be great givers this Christmas season.
(Video of this
blog at this link)
______________
Joy to the world
On a night like no other
Emmanuel
God is with us
Beggars and kings
Let us come and adore Him
Rest in His peace
And bow before Him
Sing all you people
The Lord almighty reigns
Sing ev'ry creature of God
Come bless His name
For He is good for He is good
He was born to conquer the grave
Light of the world
The reason for Christmas Day
Stars we have seen
Over deserts and oceans
The darkness was deep
But never hopeless
Redemption came
And His name is Jesus
From the mountains
We will shout it out
For the Lord our God almighty reigns
He is with us
He is with us now
For the Lord our God almighty reigns
Light of the world
The reason for Christmas Day
Andrew Bergthold | Ed Cash | Franni Cash | Martin Cash | Scott Cash
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