For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16 (NLT)
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In our world today, it is nearly impossible to think of Christmas without thinking about presents. Whether you grew up in church or not, there’s a good chance that your Christmas morning consisted of unwrapping gifts from under the tree. As a child, the joy of running down the stairs and finding exactly what you asked for festively wrapped with a bow was one of the greatest feelings you could experience. But what if I told you that being the GIVER of the gift can actually outmatch the emotions associated with being the RECIPIENT. This concept of enjoying giving more than receiving seems ridiculous. It’s completely countercultural, and yet, it’s the way God created “gift-giving” to work. St. Francis once said, “For it is in giving that we actually receive.”
When we freely give our time, attention, money, or even when we buy Christmas gifts for friends and family, it allows us to experience another dimension of joy that far surpasses the temporary thrill of unboxing the newest iPhone. Generosity is not only the heart of the Christmas story, but it’s the heart of the entire Gospel.
Express generosity this Christmas and ask the Lord to open your eyes to ways you can bless others out of the blessings He has given you. Once you have your idea in mind, gather your family or invite some friends and give a gift that will truly make a difference this Christmas!