Christmas Giving

 

It’s that time of year again! I’ve been doing some Christmas shopping for my family. I know some people find this time stressful, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I like searching for presents for family and loved ones, something that will make them happy, something that will express my love for them.

 

We can give to others out of a sense of obligation, such as giving a Christmas present to someone you have a business relationship with. Our giving has greater meaning when we do it out of love, whether it’s a gift to a family member, a contribution to church or charity, or volunteer work for an organization. This type of giving represents love in action, which is really the true measure of love. John writes, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

 

We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. He humbled himself to become a man and eventually died on the cross, giving us not only the greatest gift ever but also the greatest example of love ever. During this season of giving, let us make an effort to infuse our gifts with the love of God. May God’s love well up inside of us so that we might have a blessed Christmas season, rejoicing in His goodness to us.

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an ebook through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.