Make this a Christmas of Giving

“Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”  Hebrews 13:16 (AMP)

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the wonderful birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah.  God gave us His best gift – Jesus, who was born to redeem us from our sins.  John 3:16(AMP) says, “for God greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”  In honor of God’s gift to the world, it’s only fitting that we as Christians make giving a focus.  Our giving of Christmas gifts should be about giving more love, more joy and more happiness into the lives of others and our communities.  It is a way to imitate Jesus’ generosity to the world.

When most of us think about Christmas, we automatically associate it with a time of giving.  Our giving shows our generosity to our family, friends and community.  We use this season to nourish our love in our personal and professional relationships in life.  Christmas is not about just giving material gifts only but reaching out to the needy during Christmas. 

There are many homeless and women shelters as well as other outreach organizations that need our help and contributions during this season of giving.  You can volunteer hours and donate useful goods to worthy causes in your local areas.  Reach out this Christmas and give your love, time and money to help a needy family or a lonely senior citizen in your neighborhood and community.  You can also give supportive words of encouragement or even be a good listener to someone who‘s feeling hurt and sad during this holiday season.  You’ll experience and witness fulfillment in your soul in the process of giving to others.

Reflect on some of these Biblical principles about giving: