Christmas gifts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Christmas season is upon us! Or, should I say, the commercialized Christmas season is smothering us. After Thanksgiving, the infamous “Black Friday,” we jump head first into the shop, shop, shop-till-you-drop mode. Getting up early and staying up late to spend money that we really should be saving, and spending money that we will later anxiously be trying to replace. For some, the commercialized Christmas season brings on the anxiety of trying to find monies for gifts, gifts and more gifts. And for others, the more commonly used spending tactic, credit cards, will place us in more unaffordable debt for a year, or more.
The shopping, spending, overspending, and excessive, lavish gift giving, are all so far from Christ in Christmas. I know; we all want to give our children, spouses, friends, and loved ones nice gifts, but wouldn’t something more meaningful like demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas be better. Christ gave of Himself to us. He demonstrated unconditional love. He committed the most selfless act ever, giving His life for us. His very birth was an act of selflessness by His Father. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son….” John 3:16.
This Christmas season let us keep the Christ in Christmas! Let us show our family, friends, and loved ones how to give of ourselves; how to be selfless. Let us reach outside the border of our loved ones and demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas by giving to those less fortunate. Let us be an example that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. There are many that would appreciate the gift of a warm coat or blanket. The gift of a hot meal would cause many to be overjoyed.
Let us not be so busy shopping and preparing for Christmas that we fail to honor Christ during this Christmas season. Pay attention to those around you, so that we do not miss an opportunity to demonstrate Christ to those that are homeless, hungry, hurting, and in need.
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’” “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you failed to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were failing to help me.’” Matthew 25:44-45
I 
LOVE IT!!!!!
DearEncourager,
Thank you for this wonderful reminder that Jesus Christ is the only reason for the season. God Bless you!
Thank you Jessica for taking the time to comment.
A sincere thank you for your comment and your prayer.
Love Your Blogs.They are Encourging & uplifting.May God Bless you & allow you to keep writing.It truly inspires us & we love it
Thank you and thank you for taking the time to comment! Love you guys!
Thank You for the message. Thank you for shedding light on what CHRISTmas is and how we should pay attention to people around us that are homeless, hurting and needy, and be a blessing to them, and not only to our loved ones.
“Let us reach outside the border of our loved ones and demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas by demonstrating to the less fortunate” <- I like that. Thank You for that.
May God Bless you more and inspire you more to write more and keep blessing us with your messages and good news.
Merry Christmas in Advance
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and thank you for the insight on the gifts. If we truly celebrated Christ in Christmas we would, likewise, worship Him with our gifts just as the three wise men did. However, our gift would to Him would be to show forth His love and kindness to others, and especially to the “least of these” among us.
Timely reminder Encourager Dear! It does feel as though the ‘rush’ of the holiday season and the compulsion for gift buying keep us from truly appreciating the birth of Christ. The Bible tells us that the 3 Wise Men brought gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to Jesus. They brought these precious gifts as an act of worship in acknowledgement of the birth of the Messiah. In ancient times Gold was a precious gift given to honor a King. Frankincense was an expensive fragrance because it was difficult to obtain and it was used in the making of incense. It was a gift given to a Priest. Myrrh was an expensive aromatic spice that could be used as an embalming agent. It was given as a gift to someone who was going to die. These gifts were carefully chosen to represent who Christ is and the reason we worship Him.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end
Isaiah 9:6-7
You are doing a great job on this Blog. I enjoy reading it and it is a great encouragement for me. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Janie. I appreciate the encouragement you’re giving me! Take good care.
AWESOME!!!