Christmas Giving- Incognito!

There are a lot of things that make this time of year special. Yet, by far and away the most meaningful for me is reflecting on Christ’s birth and the Nativity; God giving His Son. For hundreds of years humanity had longed for the Savior that was foretold. Now the time had come! Without doubt, this would become the most significant event in history.

Amazingly enough however, is the manner in which God choose to give us His Son. His arrival wasn't announced in a way that would have seemed appropriate. As a matter of fact, even though there were far more people in Bethlehem at that time than normal, no one had a clue as to what was about to take place. It wasn’t until angels heralded the news to a few shepherds in a nearby field that anyone even knew that God’s Son was being born that night.

And so it was, removed from all the commotion, somewhere in a small barn, amidst a few livestock, a young woman groaned with the pains of birth. God’s salvation was being revealed...and no one- except the shepherds- had any idea what was happening! Incredible! God had sent his Son to save all humanity, the same Son who always was and always will be (Revelation 1:8) and it nearly goes unnoticed.

It reminds me of something Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount, "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." Matthew 6:2-4 Message Bible.

This seems to sum up God’s giving nature; though He commands highest honor, he does some of his most amazing acts of kindness quietly and unpretentiously. He didn't need extra fanfare to announce the arrival of His Son. He's God...He doesn't need any fanfare!

Why not try giving a gift this Christmas, as much as is possible, without letting the recipient know who it's from. You'll still enjoy the reward of sharing and I think you might find the gift will still have as great an impact on the person opening it!

Do you enjoy giving? Do you prefer to put your name on gifts when you give?

Gratitude is Attitude.

Thanksgiving! It’s a great time to be with family and friends…when you can be. Being around those we love…and those who love us. It’s about family; however, it can be a whole lot more than family. There’s a lot we take for granted…especially in this country. We can read about world happenings, but reading and being in the middle of them are completely different.

I remember traveling to Mexico in ‘75. When our group left Mexico City on a bus tour of some historical sites, I saw poverty cover the hillsides like I’d never seen before. People living in "shacks" made of anything they could find…cardboard, tin, junk metal, etc. But even still, it was only a picture to me. I wasn’t experiencing it. I couldn’t feel what they felt. I remember kids comin’ up to us in Mexico City begging. They were probably as young as four (?). They love to see Americans! There was no way I could relate to what life was like for them. Maybe they had food that day, maybe they didn’t, I don’t know. I only know I just could not relate. Oh, the things we take for granted.

The Bible tells us to give thanks in all things. That’s a lot of thanksgiving if it’s to be in all things. There’s something powerful about being thankful in the midst of every situation. Being genuinely thankful can change our perspective. Circumstances may not immediately change, but the way we view them can.

In Luke 7, we read an account of a woman who had an immoral lifestyle. Jesus happened to be eating at someone’s house when she comes bustin’ in- uninvited for sure- and falls at His feet. Immediately she starts making a scene, kissing His feet and letting her tears fall so that she can wash his feet with her tears. Finally, after several minutes of this, Jesus makes a powerful comment about gratitude…

"...her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much. But he who had been forgive little loves little."

Her love was expressed through gratitude. She recognized the life she’d been living and wanted desperately to be free. The rest who were present couldn’t see for their blindness and therefore didn’t think they needed to express any gratitude. Because she recognized her need and earnestly sought Jesus with a grateful heart, she found sweet forgiveness.

Thanksgiving isn't something we celebrate once a year but an attitude we continually embrace. How thankful we are says so much about what we think of God. We may not be able to wash Jesus' feet, but we certainly can seek Him with hearts full of attitude...a grateful attitude!