I have always loved giving & receiving gifts. This is one aspect of the Christmas tradition I thoroughly enjoy. Often, I will start shopping for Christmas presents in July. All through the year, I make careful mental notes when I notice something that someone would enjoy or something they’ve expressed interest in.
This year, towards the beginning of fall, Isaac had an idea for our family this Christmas. He wanted all of us to make Christmas presents for each other instead of buying presents. Isaac wanted to save money to put towards paying off some medical bills I have and focus more on the birth of Christ. Isaac’s reasoning was solid so we all agreed. And then… we promptly forgot about it.
About 3 weeks ago I had a mini panic attack when I remembered that we all agreed to make presents for each other because I had not started. Upon further investigation, I found that the rest of my family had not started either. It was time to get going! Well… I personally found this to be way more difficult than I originally thought it would be. I’m not a crafter, not into sewing, and after asking questions, my family made it clear that they did not want a YouTube video or poem from me. (which I have done in the past)
Honestly, I started thinking about what store bought gifts I could make look homemade. Kind of like when you buy a fancy take out meal at a restaurant, you plate it up at home and pass it off as the fancy meal you spent hours cooking. I quickly discarded that idea. My family knows me too well. They know my talents and skill sets. They would totally know if I lied! I started feeling useless and stuck. I had no idea what homemade gifts to make for my family.
Even though this is the epitome of a first world problem, I gave it up to God in my prayer time. God heard me and answered me in a BIG way! Not only did He give me the gift ideas for each family member, He reminded me that I am NOT useless and He showed me how to get “unstuck”. In my private prayer time, the Lord revealed to me the gifts and talents He’s blessed me with that no one else in my family has. He got me excited about focusing on my special skills, knowledge base and passions to get to work creating special, homemade gifts for my family that I am truly excited about.
During the Christmas season, when we think about gifts, our focus is usually on what gifts we’ll be giving or receiving. This year, I want to challenge you to think about the most important gift you can give. What can you give to Jesus in this upcoming year? Jesus gave his very life so that we could be saved. He longs for our trust, our faithfulness and our obedience. He gave us our special skills, talents and abilities so that we could use them to His glory, to further the kingdom of God.
Read Psalm 37:3-6, Proverbs 3:5-6 & Joshua 1:9
Do we struggle to trust Jesus? Are we holding on anger, resentment or bitterness towards a person or situation? If you wonder, where is Jesus in my circumstance? I challenge you in this upcoming year to fully surrender burdens, hardships and concerns to Him. Commit to letting go and as the song says, let “Jesus take the wheel”.
Read Matthew 25:14-30 What are we doing with the gifts and talents God has blessed us with? Are we using them to serve the Lord? Are we investing our talents so we can grow them and use them even more? I challenge you in this upcoming year to make a list of the gifts and talents God has given you. Pray and ask God for guidance and direction on how to use your gifts and talents to serve the Lord.
Read Proverbs 3:27-28 & James 1:22 When we obey God’s commands, we care for others. God calls us to take action. Has God called you to step up and serve in a ministry, help a neighbor, befriend someone who’s hard to love? I challenge you in this upcoming year to be obedient to God’s calling. Use your talents, time and money to be obedient in serving the Lord in a new way this upcoming year.
Christmas Activity:
Take small cut apart pieces of paper and write down what you ae giving to Jesus this Christmas. Is this the year you will fully surrender to Him and give him your worry, anger, loneliness or secret addiction? Or will you commit to give Him your time, talents and/or financial resources to further the Kingdom of God? Using small gift boxes, (I like to use the little ones from the Dollar Tree) put your cut up pieces of paper in the boxes and place your boxes under the tree. Talk about what you’ll be giving to Jesus when you open your gifts on Christmas.
When Christmas is over, pack your boxes away that you made with your gifts to Jesus inside with the rest of your Christmas decor. Throughout the year, remember to pray over the “gifts” you gave to Jesus on Christmas. The next year, place those same boxes under the tree. When you open your gifts the following Christmas, look inside your box , read and remember the gifts you gave to Jesus this past year. How did the gifts you gave to Jesus this past year grow your intimacy with Jesus? Talk about how Jesus used the gifts you gave Him over the past year.
Put new “gifts” for Jesus in the box for the next Christmas. I have done this activity since 2014 and the miracles I have seen and the spiritual growth and intimacy with Jesus I have experienced from doing this activity have been life changing!
Merry Christmas my friends! May you be blessed as you celebrate the REAL reason for the season-the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
