As the song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  Christmas is a wonderful time – no doubt about it.  There is a special feeling in the air.

We have created lots of traditions for the Christmas season, and one of the most obvious is gift giving.  The picking out, wrapping, and giving of gifts cannot be separated from the season.  We want people to feel special because of our gifts.  We want our gifts to be meaningful.  We want to be good gift givers.

This reality should not be a surprise to us.  We include the Wise Men in our Christmas celebrations, and giving is what they did.  We read in Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.  Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him.  Then they opened their treasurers and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

It is natural to give during this time.  It is like it is deep inside us.  And that should not surprise us either.  After all, Christmas is here because God gave.  John 3:16 states, “‘For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.’”

Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to come to the poverty of Earth – for us.  The Father gave us the Son.  And Jesus gave His life for us.  That is what God continues to do – give.

Christmas is about giving because God gave.  And 2 Corinthians 9:5 points out what we should do because of that: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

We have been given the greatest gift of all.  However, it is up to each one of us to decide whether or not we will receive God’s gift.  And if you do receive it, it is time to give Him your whole self (as the Bible puts it: a living sacrifice).  And if you do receive it, it is time to give the same hope to others.

Sure, we will be giving “regular” gifts this season, but like the Wise Men did, I hope you will give to Jesus.

You may want to read more about this. Consider the following excellent resource – click the picture to see more…