‘If you’re tempted to stave off giving this Christmas season because of anxiety, financial stress, or even the humbug feeling from the world that says “what does it matter, it’s all just about spending money,” remember; giving is just as much for the giver as for the one who receives,’ says Hope Bonarcher.
Ever since I became a believer, Christmas has brought me a wonderful warm and fuzzy feeling. It’s not because I’m a mother to young children or the coziness of woollen sweaters or the twinkling fairy lights. It’s because Christmas, to me, has become absolutely synonymous with the free gift of salvation Jesus purchased us.
Not having grown up religious, I was surprised to learn most Christians would elude to the wise men’s gifts to the baby Jesus as the reason so much emphasis is placed in modern times on Christmas gift giving.
Not having grown up religious, I was surprised to learn most Christians would elude to the wise men’s gifts to the baby Jesus as the reason so much emphasis is placed in modern times on Christmas gift giving. What comes first to my mind, is that God gave us his Son, whose name translates to “Yahweh is Salvation”, and so celebrating the gift of salvation that came with his birth is the main focal point of Christmas.
What are you telling your children about Father Christmas?
In Romans, Paul repeatedly discusses the free gift God gave to humanity in Jesus. One example is “But there is great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, bought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.” Because Jesus Christ is truly the greatest gift the world could ever have been given, it’s fitting the time of year we herald his birth would be a season of giving.
A lot has been made today over the ills of consumerism and the propensity to shroud Christmas under the pressure to buy things
A lot has been made today over the ills of consumerism and the propensity to shroud Christmas under the pressure to buy things that brings anything but glad tidings, but this shouldn’t lead us to become Grinches about giving at Christmas. The Lord Jesus told Paul, himself, “it’s better to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Paul also encouraged the Corinthian believers “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). When so much in our day-to-day society is geared toward our personal needs and receiving, it’s poignant to have a holiday based around the gift of giving.
God desires more for us than burnout this Christmas
I, personally, have come to love the excitement in finding even a small gift for a loved one that shows they’ve been considered, or even taking the time to write a heartfelt card with a sentiment and a Bible verse I’ve asked God to supply that will speak to a particular and personal need. You might be able to tell, receiving gifts is one of my love languages. It’s also one of the spiritual gifts Paul teaches of in Romans 12. I’ve been tickled to find I actually receive equal if not more joy through the gift of giving.
GREAT SEXPECTATIONS: I feel like Bridget Jones at Christmas
If you’re tempted to stave off giving this Christmas season because of anxiety, financial stress, or even the humbug feeling from the world that says “what does it matter, it’s all just about spending money,” remember; giving is just as much for the giver as for the one who receives. God’s gifts to us say just as much of our identity as dearly beloved children as it does about his nature as one who gives abundantly because of his benevolent identity. When we give, let’s give graciously because it shows we are our Father’s children. I, for one, dread there ever being a day where giving is not at the heart of Christmas.
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