Gift Giving

We are coming up on Christmas Day pretty quickly, and sometimes we can get caught up in getting the “right” gift, but that shouldn’t be the case. It should be more about the heart behind the gift.

Sure, we hear that all the time: “It’s the thought that counts.” That is the truth of it, though. Someone took the time to think of you and pick something out just for you.

But we let joy, stress, pressure, and excitement be our guides, when really, we should let the fact that God gave us all we need through His Son, Jesus. God is the ultimate gift giver. He thought of us and knew exactly what we needed — His love.

When my kids were little, it was pretty easy to get them gifts because I knew I could get them a box and they would have the best time playing in it. But the older they have gotten, I’ve felt a little lost in knowing what to get them. Notice here, I said that I have felt a little lost in knowing what to get them.

It’s like the shift has gone from no problem to, “Oh, they’re older, and I want to get the best things ever for them.” So basically, I’m putting the pressure on myself.

My kids have never once been disappointed in anything we have given them, so why do we do this to ourselves?

When we put too much emphasis on making the gift be “perfect,” we take away the meaning of being thankful in all things.

Every year, I’m blown away by the gratefulness of people. It’s really not about the gift; it’s about giving with love.

Is your family like mine, where someone is going to be reading the birth of Jesus at the family gathering?

When I was younger, I of course didn’t think it was important, but it is so very important. When we keep our perspective on Jesus, the reason for the celebration, then we can see the generosity, thoughtfulness, and love in every moment of the time we have with family.

John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God gives us life through His Son. It is the greatest gift of all and one that we should acknowledge every day.

For a few years in a row, we got at least one of our kids something that had to be put together. I love putting these things together; it makes me feel like I can do something. But one year I was putting a train table together, and I put one piece upside down, and I had to end up taking the whole table apart… that was annoying.

Do you go to white elephant parties, and the gift you bought was one that you really wanted, so when it was your turn, you picked up what you bought and then tried to hide it so it wouldn’t get stolen by someone else… yeah, me either. HA!

Okay, one more. Let’s say someone gets you a gift and you open it and you’re like, “Oh, thank you,” but really you’re like, “I would never wear this pink bunny suit.” Okay, that’s from A Christmas Story, the movie, but still.

Sometimes it is the simple gifts that mean so much to us.

When we give, we are giving as an overflow of what we have to offer. It shouldn’t feel like an obligation to give, but more like something we do from a place of want.

Let’s remember to give freely, joyfully, and with love, just as God gives to each of us.

This time of year, gift giving is on the forefront of our minds, but it is the giving of time, encouragement, listening, and help all throughout the year that makes impacts on those we do all that for.

The gift of time will never be something we can wrap.

One of my love languages is quality time, and any time that I can spend with the ones I love is more than they realize.

Other gifts that don’t need to be wrapped are love and encouragement.

Loving someone and speaking kindly will always be something that changes someone.

Jesus often gave gifts that couldn’t be wrapped — His time, compassion, and presence.

Giving doesn’t require abundance.

My grandmother didn’t have a lot to give, and one year for my birthday I got a card with $.50 taped inside and a small notebook with a simple message from her. I still have that notebook with that message in it. I knew that she gave that with all her love, and it is special to me. Just thinking about it makes me emotional because she meant so much to me.

God multiplies heartfelt generosity.

Giving is not overcomplicated; in fact, it flows naturally when our hearts are rooted in gratitude.

Take notice of the opportunities where you can give something today — big or small — and do it.

Let’s take a moment to pray this morning.

God, as we are moving throughout this holiday season and as we give gifts, give us generous hearts and freedom from pressure and comparison. Let us give freely and lovingly. Thank You, God, for the gift of Your Son, the reason we are even celebrating Christmas. What a gracious gift it was for You to give Your one and only Son. Thank You, Lord, for loving us and giving us all we need. Amen.

Have you ever gotten a gift for someone and the whole time questioned if it was enough? How about wondering if your effort even mattered?

I’ve been in that boat. In fact, one time I almost didn’t give the gift because I had convinced myself that what I got was so wrong. But the Lord calmed my anxiety and reminded me that I was giving a gift because I wanted to, not because I was expecting anything. That right there changed everything for me. Now I give because I want to and no other reason.

The heart behind the gift is what matters more than the gift itself. When we give because God leads us to give, then we need to trust Him with the outcome.

Gift giving is an act of love, and when we give with sincerity, we are mirroring God’s generosity. The greatest gift we can give is to give love rooted in Christ.

What is one meaningful way you can give, even without spending any money?

Also, do you have one gift that you remember that has meant the most to you over the years?