During my last year of high school, I saved up my money in order to buy extravagant gifts for my family. When Christmas came, I blew the whole $1,100 on my parents, my sister, and my grandparents. I imagined that—with college looming—I might never have the chance to be as generous with my money again.
It would be dangerous, however, to equate generosity only with giving money or gifts. It’s also true that since we live in a culture where the insatiable desire for more threatens to overwhelm us, it’s good to distinguish between generosity and obsessive, selfish consumerism. Still, I consider myself an apologist for the old-fashioned practice of Christmas gift-giving. Done well, I believe that giving to another can reflect in some small way the very heart of God’s extravagant gift—the Gift we celebrate each December 25 (Luke 1:46-55).
The very heart of God’s good news is lavish generosity. The gospel shatters our narrow self-centeredness because it declares a truth that borders on the absurd: God, Creator and Ruler of all, came to us. . . to us. And God came as a helpless baby . . . a baby. This Gift first came to Mary, and she was overwhelmed. “The Mighty One . . . has done great things for me,” she exclaimed (Luke 1:49). This Gift has been extended to us all—a gift beyond our wildest imagination, and one we could never manage on our own. This Christmas, in honor of the Greatest Gift, I’ll be giving gifts too. I want to give more of my time, more of myself and my attention, more words and prayers and hugs. But also, I’ll be giving a few gifts that are lavish—gifts that make for joy and smiles (Luke 1:46-47). I’ll be following God’s example.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
More:
Read Matthew 7:11. What does this verse tell us about God’s generosity? What does it say about God not being stingy in His giving?
Next:
What’s the most lavish gift a person has ever given you? How has God demonstrated His generosity to you?
Gary Shultz on December 10, 2014 at 3:23 am
Although I’m not on your private gift list and in reality I would not expect to be. I would like to say to you and your partners in blog, I’m thankful for these gifts given throughout the year. Of course we are thankful for God’s greatest gift and that has sparked the spirit in which you bloggers give yourselves. The gift of your gifts each day all year long. Maybe not lavish, but loving, sharing time and yourselves with us. Thank you
Tom Felten on December 10, 2014 at 9:15 am
You’re so welcome, Gary. And we greatly appreciate your words and presence within the Our Daily Journey community!
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 3:15 pm
sorry for my tardiness in replying, Gary. I really appreciate your kind words.
Gene on December 10, 2014 at 7:16 am
Reading about the visits of Gabriel to Zechariah and Mary in Luke 1 get me excited about Christmas. What a great gift we have from the God of the universe! I work with a lot of volunteers and I very much appreciate their gifts of time and dedication (and to the ODJ bloggers like you Winn!). I also think back and appreciate some of the very thoughtful gifts my earthly father gave me throughout my life. Part of my testimony is the fact people were praying for me –even walking around and around my dormitory praying that I would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, the greatest gift of all. I can’t think of a greater spiritually oriented gift than praying for those people in our lives who may be lost.
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 3:16 pm
thank you, Gene. This means a lot.
bobrogers on December 10, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Winn, thank you so much for your writings today. This Advent I have been deeply impacted by the “Immanuel” event – God is with us. We often think about gifts at Christmas (often selfishly), but we do well to think long and hard on God’s gift to us.
As you mention in your Advent blogs, the world was groaning under oppression (as many do today). There appeared to be no hope. At that precise time the Father gave His gift of gifts and hope was restored. Likewise, today we see so much injustice and we groan, but we have hope – a certain hope because God has come into our world and acts through His people to share that hope with kind words and actions. Happy Christmas.
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Thank you, Bob. I appreciate your reading and your encouraging words.