Give This Christmas Away

There are only a couple days left til Christmas. 

You know...when we were younger, we were so excited about the stuff.  The bigger the present, the more excited I got!  I would even get sneaky and try to peak at my presents without damaging the wrapping. 

Now, I could care less what I get...in fact I would be content if I didn't get anything from anyone.  Isn't that strange how our hearts change?  Or, isn't that how it should be?  I know people around me who are older than me and are still worried about the stuff of Christmas.  How do we change from this?  How do we have more contentment with Christmas? 

First off, we need to really understand that we love Christmas because of God's gift to the world...His Son, which led to our eternal salvation and assurance of where we will be after this life. 

Second, by knowing this we need to understand what pleases God.  We need to accept this gift...but how do we really accept this gift from God?  Francis Chan's whole idea in his book Crazy Love is how we can really fall in love with God again.  Our attitudes are so robotic...how do we really look like we love our God?   I found a couple examples of how we can please God this holiday season.

Hebrews 13:16 says, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Colossians 1:10 says, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Proverbs 3:34 says, "He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble."

Reflect on these verses and let God tell you what this means to you this holiday season.  Don't miss His instruction and direction.  For me, it meant to make numerous home-made gifts this year and give every bit of it away...much of it to people I don't even know.  It was encouraging to have others join me in this and allow them the delight in giving beyond the norm this holiday season as well.  What does this mean for you?  What are you willing to do?  If we all just gave this Christmas away, what would that look like? 

I heard this song on the radio after I made my choice this holiday season, and it was God letting me know "You've got it." 

What if I told you?
You have the power
To give someone hope
Far beyond their wildest dreams
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricenter.com/e56544-matthew_west~give_this_christmas_away_lyrics.html ]
What if I told you it's right there in your hands?
In your hands

It's hard to imagine
How something so small
Can make all the difference
Tear down the tallest wall

What if December looked different this year?
What if we all just

Give this Christmas away
If there's love in your heart
Don't let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gift you receive
When you give this Christmas away

It's feeding the hungry
It's serving the poor
It's telling the orphan
You're not forgotten anymore

It's doing what love does
Even when no one's watching you

Give this Christmas away
If there's love in your heart
Don't let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gift you receive
When you give this Christmas away

For God so loved the world, He gave His only son
So we could be His hands, His feet, His love
His love

What if I told you?
You have the power
To give someone hope
Far beyond their wildest dreams

What if December looked different this year?
What if we all just

Give this Christmas away
If there's love in your heart
Don't let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gift you receive
When you give this Christmas away
Give this Christmas away
You have the power
Just give it away

Merry Christmas, and God Bless.