I admit I’ve always had trouble coming up with a “Santa” list. We kids knew Mom was the one behind our Christmas gifts, so Santa was never an issue. The budget was tight, but I never felt we lacked gifts.
My husband’s family was really into gifts under the tree. They didn’t have to be expensive, but to my dismay, they always wanted a “Santa List.” I was no better at it then, than I am now. I’ve always enjoyed gift cards because I can spread them out over the year. Their reaction was, “What’s the fun in that?” But they gave me grace.
Christmas is a special season. It’s fun to receive, but also to give. My financial circumstances have varied over the years. But I still remember a principle of giving that I learned one Christmas when dollars were hard to come by.
As a lady spoke about giving, she mentioned Paul. While encouraging Corinthian believers' giving to help Christians in Jerusalem, he used the Macedonian Christians as an example. He said their giving would be judged by what they had, not on what they didn’t have. For some reason that set me free. I didn’t have a lot to give, but I could give something! (2 Corinthians 8:1-15. I was reading my NIV at the time).
He followed up with more words about cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). So, here’s the challenge: How many ways can you give cheerfully this Christmas Season, whether rich or poor?
I’m thankful God didn’t ask, “What do you want for Christmas?” I would never have known to ask for such a wonderful gift as Jesus, even if I was convinced that God is love and has my best interests at heart (1 John 4:7-10).
He took it upon Himself to bless us with the best gift of all time. It’s famously recorded in John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
He gave to the world . . . to you and me . . . to all countries and cultures . . . and to all generations!
People react differently to this gift. Some fail to respond because they consider themselves unworthy. Some are too proud to ever admit they need a Savior. Others hold off because they’re determined to earn God’s gift.
But wait . . . there’s more . . Jesus is only one of God’s good gifts! You’ll find others listed in Psalm 103:1-5. Just remember that saying “thank you” is an important part of receiving any gift.
Determine now to create a personal quiet time this Christmas. Enter into God’s presence and thank Him for the best Christmas gift ever (Psalm 100:4-5).
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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