“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, New International Version (NIV)).
The Christmas season is here and we are excited once more, as the world turns its attention to God’s ultimate gift of love (His son, Jesus the Christ).
In truth, the Christmas season is not just a time of reflection upon the birth of Jesus into the earth realm, but it is also a time where family and friends give gifts to each other and celebrate the familial and friendship bonds that permeate our lives. In doing so, many are tempted to go into astronomical debt, in order to give gifts that impress and seemingly reveal how much we may love someone. Sadly, many people experience depression as they assess their finances and come to the conclusion that as much as they may want to, they cannot give presents, because they simply do not have the financial means to do it.
In reflecting on God’s gift to humankind, we should remember, that what makes Jesus so exceptional, is that God’s gift to humanity could not be purchased with gold, silver or precious gems. The gift of Christ, was a gift straight from the heart of God. Dear friend, you can give in so many ways, even when you lack the financial resources to do so.
Have you ever wondered how much it costs to visit a sick relative, cook a meal for an elderly widow (widower), babysit for a single parent, rake the yard or shovel snow for an aged couple, bake cookies for a disabled friend? Dear ones, most, if not all of these are one hundred percent free and yet demonstrate an abundance of giving from the heart! So, as you assess what you can give this Christmas, try giving from the heart and not simply from the wallet or purse. Matthew 5:16b NIV says, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” In days of old, people would give homemade Christmas gifts, not because they were cheap or frugal, but because they wanted to personalize their gifts to their respective loved ones. For years we have heard of the commercialization of Christmas and the extreme secular takeover of the holiday season. If we really want to put “Christ” back in Christmas, then focus on His love in us and how that love can manifest in our families, communities and everyday life. So I pose a challenge. Instead of simply purchasing a store brought gift, (you may choose to still do that and that is of course appropriate), ask yourself, “What does my loved one really need?” Your loved one might love a new sweater but in reality, they might love a phone call or diner and conversation more than anything you could ever purchase from a catalog. Ask God to reveal to you, the innermost cravings of your loved one and assess your ability to help them meet that need. Do you have contacts in the professional field of your loved one’s choice that they are trying to break into? Perhaps you can share and give someone a boost in their career development. Do you really need another television with that extra bonus you received or could you bless someone else by purchasing a month’s worth of groceries in these ever increasingly lean times for some of us. In summary, ask God to reveal to you the best gift you can give from your heart this Christmas season and share that gift abundantly!
Elder Jerome Woods, II is the husband of Alana M. Woods and is the son of the late Jerome Woods, Sr. and Larina Woods. He is a Washington, D.C. native and associate Elder at High Calling Ministries pastored by George W. Hawkins, Jr. Elder Woods is a graduate of The George Washington University (1994) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with minors in Sociology and Latin Classical Humanities. Elder Woods received his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
