In my corner of the world, one of the most popular Christmas practices is to decorate one’s home inside and outside. Many put up real or artificial pine trees, adorn them with all sorts of colorful ornaments, and top them off with an angel or star. Some string up enough lights on the outside of their houses to illuminate a small city. Others simply hang evergreen boughs over their windows and doors.
I have a friend who decks out her car with fake reindeer antlers and a bright red nose on the front of her vehicle. Then there are those who create interesting Christmas displays—such as my friend whose yard has an inflatable Santa Claus on a motorcycle placed alongside a life-sized nativity scene. Hmm . . .
Regardless of the outcomes, decorating can get us in a festive mood. But nothing gets us into the spirit of the season more than the tradition of giving. We give gifts to others in celebration of our Creator God’s ultimate gift of love and goodwill—Jesus, who has brought “great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10-11).
One of the most moving examples of giving I’ve come across is found in the book Christmas Jars. The book promotes the year-round practice of placing leftover pocket change into a glass jar. Then, when the week of Christmas arrives, you’ll have a nice sum of money to give to someone in need. This generous practice reflects Solomon’s words in Proverbs: “Give freely . . . those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25).
This Christmas season, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, think about what you can “give freely” to those in need. As you share generously, you’ll be living out the Christ-honoring tradition of giving.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ephesians 6:10-20
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 9:7 and note the type of giver “God loves.”
Next:
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? How has God revealed His heart of generous giving for us to imitate?
Gary Shultz on December 2, 2015 at 8:19 am
Life and time have a way of changing traditions, at least for us. I am so so thankful that our God who invented Christmas, holds each promise and they do not change. The Christ who came is the Christ who waits with more gifts and blessing in store. You know, I think I’m looking forward to Christmas in heaven, traditions will last forever. The jar idea is a great one too. Thanks, have a blessed Christmas, and stop by when we get to those new traditions.
Roxanne Robbins on December 3, 2015 at 12:35 am
What beautiful reflections on giving, Jeff, complete with the good reminder: “Give freely . . . those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25).
Winn Collier on December 5, 2015 at 5:32 pm
So right, there’s something special that happens when the generosity starts to flow.