I remember feeling so special when the holidays rolled around and we got
to bless others, it was my highlight. Oh, you thought I was going to say open presents? No,
you see Christmas to me has never been about gifts, because it never
was growing up. Although it broke my moms heart to tell us we just didn't have
money to get gifts, it taught us the real reason for Christmas. Maybe it is just me, but growing up my mom taught us a valuable lesson around the holidays, probably not in the way she wanted but we learned regardless. From a family of seven children, the holidays were hard because money was not something that we had in abundance. Yet as a kid I never thought anything of it, I thought Christmas was about giving to others. My mom would gather together random beads, plaques and find fun card stock and buy dollar store stickers for us to make our own gifts for our grandparents and siblings. I never knew anything different until all the other kids would list off all the toys, and gadgets they wanted for Christmas. I would think to myself, what Christmas are YOU talking about, that's not how we celebrate. I would see the 25th come around and other kids would receive numerous gifts but maybe they didn't get everything they wanted, a selfish monster would arise out of the depths and all of a sudden the joy of Christmas disappeared. For years I never got gifts until my grandpa couldn't stand to see us without and decided to buy us each one gift. It was exciting, but I would rather spend time with my family and WATCH THEM open the gift I MADE for THEM!
Is Christmas about getting or giving? Is it about being blessed, or being a blessing? Both. Every year we would go to a local church for Christmas and for three days sort, distribute, and load up hundreds of Christmas food baskets. I feel the most joy and happiness during this time because I get to bless others, and guess what, in blessing others I too get blessed. See, it's a win-win situation when you place your priorities right. Think about it, if Christmas is all about you, and say you get everything you ever wanted, then that's all you get. But when you focus all your energy on giving to others, and blessing those around you, the blessings flow through you, to others, and you'll get some back. It's the principle of reaping and sowing (it's in the Bible I promise, look it up). Just like a hose gets wet from the water flowing through it, so will you get blessed by the blessings flowing through you to others. Don't sell yourself short. What's is the true purpose of Christmas? Did our savior come into this world to get or give? Jesus was born to serve rather than be served. He is God, the king of the universe, our savior; shouldn't He be the most entitled to receive the most pampering and yet He received the least. Not once did Jesus complain or cry out "woe is me, for I didn't get that which I desired". He gave, and gave and gave until there was nothing left of Him. He literally gave ALL OF HIM to BLESS YOU! That example is a radical one, a reckless abandonment that in today's world is unheard of. We are entitled to things, we are worthy of being blessed, we DESERVE IT. He deserved much more than what He received and yet He gave, knowing that ALL would REJECT Him in the end. Give whether you feel like it, give whether you have anything to give, give in spite of ill feelings, or the needs that you have. I saw my mom give food to those in need even though we weren't sure what we would eat for dinner that night. I saw my mom give essential toiletries, or clothes to a mother in need although it was our very last and had no money to get our own. She taught me to give and watch God move. I learned that when you have the least, that is when you should give the MOST!
I want to challenge everyone this Christmas season; man, woman, and child. Make a conscious decision to walk in selflessness rather than selfishness. Should Christmas be about getting or giving? You may give as well as get, but I am going to take it a step farther and ask if getting or giving is the focus in your home? It's all good and well if you give on the side, but think if Jesus took that approach. "Yeah, yeah I gave my word" Jesus replies, "Okay, I'll multiply some fish and bread, good enough?"...We know that wasn't good enough. He had to DIE. Are you willing to die to selfish tendencies? Are you willing to take it a step farther and not only bake cookies for a friend, or invite them over for dinner? Jesus gave all of Himself, are you willing to follow in His footsteps. Before your kids learn how to get, teach them how to give this year. Don't just tell them that Christmas is about giving, SHOW them. Presents are amazing, and trust me one of my top love languages is gifts so I feel loved this way. Try going a year without getting your kids gifts and teaching them to make, or get gifts for others. They may not like it if they're used to gifts, but it should be rewarding in the end. Choose the path Jesus took, one of selfless love!
Here's some questions to ponder and some actions to take:
1. What's the true purpose of Christmas? (I mean it, really think about this. Don't give a pat answer.)
2. What makes Christmas special to you? (Is it all about the presents or is it the hope that was born?)
3. How can you make it special for someone else? (Don't sell others short, because Jesus didn't give half, but ALL.)
4. Write down at least 5 things you can do this holiday season to bless someone else (and go all out as if you were describing what you wanted to someone else).
5. Lastly, if Jesus came to be the light and bring salvation to all, shouldn't we be just as concerned with the salvation of those around us? Write out family members, friends, acquaintances that need to know that Jesus came to SAVE THEM!
LynnCheri
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