Merry & Bright: Celebrating Christmas Every DaySample

Christmas Begins with Christ 

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” — Charles M. Schulz 

Exchanging and receiving gifts is one of the most popular Christmas traditions. Beginning sometime in early November, advertisements for that “perfect” gift begin.

Matthew 2 tells about the birth of Jesus. The wise men heard that Jesus was born, and they went out to look for Him.  Matthew 2:10 says, “They were overjoyed” when they found Jesus, and they presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Gift giving is honorable, generous, and says, “You were on my mind.” We resemble our Heavenly Father when we offer gifts to others. It’s normal and expected to give presents at Christmastime, but what if we were generous all the time? What if we gave a gift to a friend in April just because? What if we contributed to a friend or cause in July? If we made giving a regular part of our lives, we might not have to focus so much on doing it during one month of the year.

Maybe you’re thinking that you don’t have the money to buy gifts and make donations all year long. Here are a few thoughts when it comes to giving:

A Gift is a Gift
It means you were thinking of someone besides yourself. You might spend a little bit, a lot, or nothing at all!. The amount isn’t the point; the thought is. So be creative in the things that you want to give to someone. And don’t wait until December.

Give Beyond a Gift
Being generous isn’t just about a physical gift that we purchase at a store. It is about offering something to bless someone else. An act of service or a thoughtful word are great ways to give. 

Every Little Bit Helps
We often wait to give until the final two months of the year. But, we can change that and become good at giving during the other 11 months. So, maybe you can only give a little bit each month to that non-profit you love. Or you buy a few grocery items for a family in need. Any amount will make a difference.

Life brings us ample opportunities to give and be a blessing to someone else. Whether we are helping the single mom with her children’s clothes, donating to a non-profit, or making someone’s day with a simple gift, we get to imitate our Heavenly Father by being a gift giver. 

Reflect

• Do you consider yourself a generous person at Christmas? What about the rest of the year?
• What is one thing you can do to increase your giving spirit to last through the year?