Much of the message we hear during Christmas is that of giving and receiving. It is everywhere, and put to all sorts of purposes.
Human beings are crafty like that… turning things to their advantage. Used for merchandizing, fundraising, and charitable giving and everything in between. The message can appeal to both our best and worst selves.
God’s Giving Inspires the Spirit of Christmas
If there is one point to take from the example of God’s gift of His Son, it is that He is a sacrificial giver. God gives entirely; He gives willingly; He gives from His great love.
It is hard for people who have seen too much of self-aggrandizing, selfish “giving” to understand how truly selfless God’s giving is…
But from the beginning, creation attests to God as the source.
“He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.” -Psalm 147:9
“The eyes of all look to You, And You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.” -Psalm 145:15-16
When We Give
Giving can be beautiful and satisfying when done with the intent to nurture and benefit others. The act of giving is something like the exercise of a muscle :
- simply doing it makes it stronger
- practice makes it easier
- keep increasing the challenge to create real benefit
- discipline and diligence keep it in good form
Devotionals for Day 10
- Red Ribbon Thoughts 2014
- Scarlet Thread, Jesse Tree Devotional for 2011
- A Promise is a Banner in 2009 has thoughts plus a fun activity to do.
- Thankful for Inclusion in 2016 takes examples of God’s inclusion of outcasts to learn something of his heart for us.
- What Shall I Give Him? An exercise in thinking about giving from 2015… to make giving more than a holiday buzzword.
