Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" and He meant it! (Acts 20:35)
"Yeah, give me presents!"
I noticed a Facebook friend said the other day she had gone shopping and didn't find anything on her list but had picked up two presents for herself! Sure, it's fun to get stuff. But if we just spoil ourselves with more greed or crush one another trying to save $50 on a plasma TV, isn't that sort of missing the point of what Christmas is all about?
* God the Son gave up His position in Heaven as He laid aside His glory to give Himself for us.
* God the Father gave His Son.
* Mary and Joseph gave themselves over to God's plans for them (when they probably had some plans of their own before the angel showed up).
* A multitude of angels gave their praise and worship and witness.
* Shepherds gave themselves, their worship and their witness.
* The wise men gave themselves, their time and treasure and they worshiped the King.
True Christmas celebrating would be for those who are able to give more to missions, more to help families who've fallen on hard times and more to bless others rather than ourselves. A true Christmas gift could be to visit a nursing home on Christmas Eve or Christmas day to maybe read the Christmas story, sing carols, pray or just give ourselves and be with some lonely people. Imagine how Christmas would be if all true followers of Jesus would serve somebody, love somebody, visit someone who needs encouragement and tell them how Jesus and Christmas has changed their lives! Now that would be a huge Christmas party and we'd all be filled with intense Christmas joy (we wouldn't even need the alcohol version!)
That first Christmas was a giving party. Now it's our turn.
