A gift to remember

It’s almost Christmas!
This is the time of year many people look forward to all year. For some, it means gathering with family. For others, it represents a week or two off. For others, especially children, it’s a chance to get some new gifts.
But for others, this is not a season of joy. For them, it may remind them of a loved one who has died. Others will be working just as hard simply to assure their family can eat. Some will face the prospect of little or nothing under the Christmas tree.
As you approach Christmas, what is your situation? Do you resonate more with the first group or people, or the second?
More importantly, especially if you are in the first group, what is your attitude?
We live in a culture dominated by want. Let’s be honest. How many of us as children were encouraged to write a list of what we want to give for Christmas? Even if we were, which list was longer? The list of what we wanted to receive or what we wanted to give? Which list is longer today?
Consider the words of the apostle Paul as he spoke to the elders of Ephesus near the end of his final visit with them:
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:32-35)
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Do we believe that?
More importantly, do we act that way?
During this week of Christmas, I want to challenge each of us to take a minute and consider what we can give.
How about letting that mom with three small children go in front of you in line at Walmart?
What about stopping over to visit your elderly neighbor who doesn’t have any family around?
Smile instead of some other reaction when someone cuts you off or takes “your” parking spot.
Students, what are you giving up for iChristmas? Another video game? An iTunes card? Getting $30 shoes instead of $60 ones? Giving up a gift card that could buy a meal for a family that can barely afford to eat?
In this season where our culture begs us to get, get, get, let’s go against the trend and give, give, give. We should strive to be people that seek the greater blessing. Long after something you gave someone is gone, the memory of giving will continue to linger. That is the best gift of all.

shine!
Jason