Give with a Cheerful Heart

It starts earlier each year. Halloween wasn’t over yet and the local radio station had switched to Christmas music. “There are 46 shopping days until Christmas”, the ads remind. Catalogues crowd my mailbox. The children have started their lists and so have I.

Some friends with an eye toward simplicity have mentioned “opting out” of Christmas this year. Books like "Simplify your Life", suggest that we stop sending cards and gifts for loved ones. Think of the time you’ll save and the peace you’ll have with your new streamlined life.

My mother rejects this notion. She fully embraces the joy of sharing. “It’s all about the kids” is her mantra. She indulges the grandchildren with toys and gadgets. Even when our family didn’t have much, Christmas overflowed with abundant love and affection. There were handmade ornaments and homemade gifts from the kitchen. She taught us to give generously from the heart.

My kids have learned at an early age that the best gifts are simple, handmade gifts: the kind made with love and gobs of glue. These one-of-a-kind treasures delight our hearts and revive our memories as we unpack our decorations each year. The crowning glory of our tree may look like it is made of tin foil and cardboard, but it is built of pure love.

My brother has always been a generous gift giver. He embodies the sentiment that it is better to give than to receive. His exuberance with giving means you rarely wait until your birthday or Christmas day to receive your gift. He would explode if he was forced to wait that long. He gets immense pleasure watching someone unwrap his gift. “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Imagine the joy God receives witnessing such unbridled generosity.

As I make my list and think about the gifts I prepare this time of year, I will follow the apostle Paul’s advice. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

I think of the blessings God has sent to our family. He has lavished us in love, forgiveness and mercy. He has lifted us up when we were down and strengthened us when we were weak. He has loved us even when we seemed unlovable. Most of all, God sent us a gift too wonderful for words, the gift of His son, Jesus.

I pray our giving will reflect all the blessings we have received. I pray we will be effective stewards off all God’s gifts. Regardless of what the news reports suggest about our economy, we still have much to give: gifts of love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God’s love be in that person? Dear Children, let’s not merely say that we love one another; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:16-18 NLT).