Thursday Thoughts: Showing God’s love in how we give gifts

In our current culture, Christmas has become so commercialised, we are conditioned to get excited about receiving presents. As children, we grow up anticipating Santa to come down the chimney with his sack full of shiny new toys. But this year, I have to admit I am far more excited about giving than receiving presents. When we did the Secret Santa in my church life group the other week, I was far more excited to see my carrot-loving friend’s face when she opened the carrot earrings I had got her, than to see what was inside my own present (though I did receive an adorable gingerbread man shaped mug that I love!).That I could show my friend that I knew her, knew what she would like, and had put this thought behind that gift, made me excited to give it.

Another friend pointed out to me that gift giving was my love language, and maybe she has a point there. There is something that brings me such joy in being able to show people my affection for them. I feel like I have many personal reasons that factor into this – I love crafting, so making and giving out small gifts such as tree decorations feels quite natural. And as a wheelchair user who often needs help from friends, I like to feel like I’m giving back to them. But there’s a lot more to why we should give than reasons like that.

God gave us his one and only Son – the most precious thing he had – on that first Christmas day. When we give Christmas presents, we are imitating the generosity that God showed us in giving us his Son.

Something we talk about at Christmas is “exchanging” presents. The idea that I give you a present and receive one in return. It’s almost transactional. But as Christians, I believe we should be willing to give without expecting to receive anything in return.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes: “for God loves a cheerful giver” – someone who is happy and willing to give without expecting a return on that gift. It is not about “exchanging” presents but giving presents. I am not saying that you should not accept presents from friends who try to give you one, but to not go into giving a present with the expectation that you will get one in return.

In The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14), Jesus says: “when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Jesus acknowledges that we often give in this transactional way, but he encourages us to give to those who cannot repay us.

So this year, why not give a present you won’t get repaid for? It could be anything –

  • Chocolate for a co-worker you think would benefit from a pick-me-up
  • A new pair of shoes for the homeless person you pass on your commute
  • A donation to a toy collection box for children in poverty

Yesterday, I took a big pack of Christmas pens into my creative writing class and gave one to each student, and my lecturer. It brought smiles to their faces… you can always please a writer with new stationery, after all. It elicited a laugh as they picked out a snowman or an elf, a reindeer or a gonk. It brought joy into the classroom. I didn’t want or expect anything in return for the pens, but found I had been paid bountifully by the smile it brought to their faces.

Show the love of God this Christmas by being a cheerful giver!

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