Christmas Cheer

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:26, 28a).

"Let's go, Mom. Everyone is waiting for us in the car," cried my daughter as she ran out the door for the Christmas Eve program at church. I smiled at her enthusiasm and thought back to days when I was a young girl looking forward to Christmas. My Christmases were filled with relatives, oyster stew, chocolate covered cherries, Christmas programs at church, and opening gifts in knee-deep paper with my family of nine. Yet, my most cherished memories of Christmas were the hours my mother and I spent beforehand wrapping gifts for my family.

My mother had an insatiable love for celebrating Christ's birth. She shared God's love through brightly lit decorations, great food, and presents. Yes, my mother loved to give presents, and she chose me to help her wrap them. Together we spent hours making perfect bows and wrapping "just one more box." I considered helping her a great honor because she trusted me not to tell my brothers and sisters what was in their packages.

When I grew older, I realized why my mother and I had so many gifts to wrap each year. Knowing she couldn't give us much, my mother cleverly wrapped each part of a gift into as many boxes as possible. She knew our young minds couldn't comprehend value, but we could count. To a young mind, the more presents you had, the better.

Tonight, I stood in my mother's place. My homeschool family was smaller, but our money to make Christmas special was just as short. As I turned to shut off the light and walk out the door, I smiled as I saw the huge pile of gifts waiting to be opened when we returned. My daughter and I had just finished wrapping them. Some Christmas traditions are just worth passing on.

Lord, thank You for the sacrificial love of mothers. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, give me wisdom to love my family with special acts of kindness. Teach me how to make every day a special gift with the same love that was given to me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(39 comments)

DARLENE H 12/23/2008 07:09:29

I was amazed and saddened by this devotional. Are we really wanting to teach our children that the number of gifts that we receive means Anything? Not only was I not touched by this mother's obsession with the number of gifts her children received, I was disgusted. I see no sign of the "insatiable love for celebrating Christ's birth" which is mentioned in the story. This is a clear example of the influence that our society has had on us. This is not the heritage that believers should pass on to our children. Please pray for this family and all Christian families that we will live in this world but stand out. I am seeing far too many Christian youth begin to resemble every other youth out there. We need to be different.

I will unsubscribe to any further Daily Focus updates because of this edition.

Thank you for listening.

crista f 12/23/2008 21:44:54

i agree with the precious post whole heartedly, but i will not throw out the baby with the bath water on this one. keep mu daily focus devotionals coming...i'll keep chewing the meat and spit out the occasional bones. Merry Christmas!

crista f 12/23/2008 21:46:02

sorry!!! i meant to say i agreed with the PREVIOUS post, ha ha!! AGAIN...I AGREE with Darlene!!

SHARON T 12/22/2009 06:46:58

This was a very touching story. Not only did it express your mothers love for Jesus, but for blessing her children as well. What beautiful memories it has instilled in you. What wonderful memories that you are passing down to your children. I love the beautiful scripture that you shared with us, today. That is a scripture that I chose a couple of weeks ago to meditate on and apply it to my life.......on her tongue is the law of kindness.........I pray that my children see that in me every day. I too, love to glance over the gifts under our tree as I turn in on Christmas Eve. We have the love of God inside of us, and as he loves to bless us....so do we love to bless our children. Our Christmas is totally centered around Jesus, as I can see through your article that yours is too. I am going to let my daugher help me wrap gifts tonight. What a special time between mother and daughter. Thank you so much for this article. Every time I read your writings I am touched and discover a new way to bless my family.

CARSON AND ANN M 12/22/2010 02:06:59

I loved this story. My husbands parents once couldn't afford much for their boys, so they bought them all bikes and took them apart and wrapped the pieces seperately. The boys loved it and they each got more than one present to open. I think that it shows a great mother who can be so creative.

EILEEN M 12/22/2010 03:59:42

Santa comes to our house on Christmas Eve with some small gifts (dh). My four older children know the true story of Santa (Saint Nicholas) but my four year old is filled with joy and wonder as he sees this jolly man dressed in red bringing gifts for the family. It is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of giving to others to our children. Mom films the whole event. Afterwards, I film my husband (no longer dressed up as Santa) ask my children who came to the house that he was not present to see (as he had to run to the store). It is wonderful to catch these moments of wonder and joy on the faces of our young believers. My children are aware that it is the act of giving that is so important. They know not to get too wrapped up in too much 'stuff' to make them happy as the commercial world can often fall prey too. Prior to this event, we have attended Christmas Eve Mass and worshipped the Lord. This, they know, is the real joy of Christmas. Christ is our best gift!

ARACELIS W 12/22/2010 05:46:39

this reminded me that God is gracious even to the humbug in me....just yesterday I slammed down a box of plastic tableware, frustrated that my house is a disaster, packages are still unwrapped, homeschool classroom is a hurricane in progress, and I still have shopping to do. This reminds me that it is not about me, but celebrating the birth of the One who gives me strength and creating memories for my child that he will cherish! A. Williams

ANDRA S 12/22/2010 06:40:58

I totally needed this today....I've been sick with a nasty cold these last couple of days and my patience is at an absolute end with my children who are bouncing off the walls in excitement.....Today and hopefully for the rest of Advent I'm going to take a step back and enjoy THEM instead of worrying about the THINGS that I think have to be done! Thanks to Jesus!

SHERRI O 12/22/2010 06:54:26

This post was lovely and reminded me what this season is all about. Joy. Shame on those who found the need to critique it. (Darlene, I hope someone touches you with the absolute excitement of being able to spoil you with presents this year! Accept their gesture of love and let them find joy in giving abundantly!) Our Father takes joy in giving us good and MANY gifts, there is nothing wrong at all with us as parents wanting to give our children good and MANY gifts as well. Seeing the excitement on their faces as they see the mound of presents is so fun! I believe that most of us have monitored their attitudes and taught them what t scripture says about contentment and thankfulness since they were born. The post specifically said that there was not a lot of money-so this is not about spoiling our children or giving them whatever they want, it's about pouring on the fun at every chance we get! Playing Scrooge on Christmas morning in the name of 'teaching' will not create happy memories OR children that know how to recieve blessings graciously and joyously. I'm thankful my parents took more pleasure in giving me memories, than they did in giving me lessons.

Beth L 12/22/2010 07:46:19

I see the message here. It really isn't about the number this mother is discussing but about the love of sharing and the lesson in giving, not just giving gifts but time spent together. Lessons shared about trust. Yes, and memories too,...something no one can ever take away from you. Thank you for your daily devotionals. God bless you and your family this year!

BILLIE L 12/22/2010 07:55:54

I agree with Darlene, and can't believe what I read in Sherry O's post. "I'm thankful my parents took more pleasure in giving me memories than they did in giving me lessons." WHAT? I know of parents who love to party with their children, have a good time and would rather be their "friend" and those children have great memories, but absolutely no lessons from God.

For one, I do not have a tree up this year. Our house got flooded and is still in shambles. Do I want it up? Sure! Do I feel bad about it? Not at all. Have I bought my children a present this year? Not one. We buy for each other little gifts in my family, and my children are just fine with what they receive because I have given them "lessons" in life that are more precious than presents under the tree.

Remember folks, Jesus saves us from our sins, not Christmas. And to that you may say, "duh!" But why are we putting so much emphases on memory building (which is awesome in itself if they are the right memories learning the right LESSONS) and not on Jesus who came not to save you IN your sins but FROM them. What a miracle! I was reading in Hebrews 2 yesterday which explains exactly why Jesus was born. What a glorious Savior, and what mercy!

I for one will ponder on my redemption, rather than the number of gifts I have wrapped or not wrapped for my children. Remember, it's all for JESUS!

GAIL M 12/22/2010 08:49:00

I think some of you precious saints are missing the message here. It was not about the gifts, but about the tihe time spent together and memories that were being built. Let's not be like the Pharises who knew the law and hung over the heads of people to point of causing them to stumble. I have 2 precious boys myself, and we share many, many memories this time of year. We never forget the reason for Christmas, nor do we overlook why He died for us. However, God loves to pour out His gifts over us and dances over us with singing. So too should we love our own children this way. In doing so, we show them the love of Christ. Bible lessons are an important part of any Chirstian Homeschool, but LOVE is the most important. My children can memorize every verse in the Bible, but if they have not His Love, they have learned nothing. My beautiful sister in Christ never mentioned what the gifts were, because it wasn't about the gifts. It was about the time spent togehter savoring His wonderful Love. As we prepared our home this Christmas, my prayer is that my boys can truly feel the Love of the Father in all we do. The memories we share, whether baking cookies, wrapping presents, decorating the tree, or simply watching Christmas movies, Christ is at the core, because Christ is in our hearts.

I hope that those who found fault here would be blessed beyond measure with a double portion of His Grace and Mercy, remembering that we can do nothing to earn it, but must simply receive it. Thank You Jesus for being born. May I always remember what You did at Calvary got started on Christmas Day. May I never forget that it was done out of LOVE for me, when I did not deserve it.

Merry Christmas all, Be Blessed!

GAIL M 12/22/2010 09:11:45

One more thing I forgot to mention. My husband has not had steady job in 3 years and was diagnosed with cancer last year. We have virtually no money and struggle just to make ends meet. However, because of the "lessons" my children have learned through our memories that were built in times of plenty, they do not fret when they do not receive gifts. On the contray, they get joy out of finding just the right gift for everyone they love, sometimes even making a gift. We have learned to give to the very poor and my oldest son has even done without so that another child in the church or neibghborhood could have something. It was through the many lessons they learned while celebrating our Savior's birth that gave them this. Learning does not happen only at the school table or in books. Christ teaches us in the every day happenings of our lives. Why should he be any different with our kids? This year, again we are doing without. We have not even purchased food for our Christmas dinner. But God always provides. He sent His angels to us with a Christmas Tree, small gifts for the boys and we have many friends who have blessed us in other ways. Though these blessings, they have seen God's hand at work in our lives. They will always know His provision. They will always remember that He promises to fill our lives with good things. They have learned to give joyfully, because they learned to receive graciously. Through the simple act of giving, they have learned to put their Christianity to work. This is a lesson only Christ can teach. Thank you.

MELINDA C 12/22/2010 09:18:20

I am just amazed at how a Christmas devotional can cause so much controversy. I think Jesus would be saddened at the time and attention we are spending trying to prove who is more Christ-like. I loved the devotional and was reminded to not be tempted to read the comments of others which Satan can use to try to steal the joy of the message.

karen k 12/22/2010 09:23:05

No two families celebrate Christmas the same way. Some find the joy of Christ's love and the true meaning of the season wrapping presents, some find it in trimming the tree, while others find it in just a very simple Christmas with none of the usual traditions. I am in no place to judge how one family or another finds the joy of the Lord or his blessings in this special time. I truly wish for every one of my fellow sisters that all feel the peace and abundant love that our Savior brings. No matter how they choose to celebrate.

BARBARA S 12/22/2010 09:23:09

Well Darlene, I would cancel too if I said such horrible things. If your kids can count, they will count the number of presents, we dont have to teach them that. If they can see, they will compare what they have to what other people have, you don't have to teach this. The point was about surviving on a small budget and making holiday memories. Sorry for you Darlene that you were so offended, I think we should pray for you.

CHRISTINE K 12/22/2010 09:52:51

I understand the conflict about this. On one hand the mother is passing on a feel-good tradition she accepts as love, on the other hand, there is present-counting materialism which only affirms that we are all sinners. I still like the story since love is a part of it.

PENNY H 12/22/2010 17:27:56

God loves to give good gifts to His children, and so we too as fathers and mothers love to give good gifts to our children. What a better time of year to represent God's gift-giving love then at Christmas-time when He sent to us His gift of Jesus - a Savior who would die for us and save us from our sins. When Jesus was born He was blessed with gifts from the Magi. I think gift-giving is a good tradition to reflect and represent the love of God and His gift to us - Jesus. We can and should pass along His love by telling others of Christ's redemptive work on calvary - the greatest gift of all, and we can and should share special gift-giving moments with our children too, and with others, especially those who have little or nothing. This would be a great expression of God's love and affection to them. He made us to enjoy His gifts and the gifts of our earthly fathers (and mothers). God's blessings to all who receive the daily focus devotionals.

SHERRI O 12/22/2010 18:50:45

Yes, Billie L, as I re-read what I said I should've been more specific. I'm thankful that my parents did not use Christmas morning as an opportunity to teach me lessons in materialism, that instead it was a time just for love, for creating memories, and for FUN. Jesus and his grace toward us is first and foremost-and even though my children don't always deserve a huge mound of presents-neither do I deserve the abundance of blessings that our Father gave me in His son. It saddened me that people would actually twist this devotional into something ugly-when in actuality, it was the perfect Christmas story. A story of SACRIFICIAL LOVE- Yay!

TIFFANY M 12/22/2010 21:06:19

Does not our Father in Heaven bless His children? Does not the Holy Spirit give us gifts? Moreover, did Jesus GIVE His liFe?

Asking if giving presents is a good thing is like asking if Jesus walked on water; YES AND PRAISE GOD YES!!!!!

So, friends be not offened by the gifts this mother gave nor the moment she seized to share LOVE with her daughter!

Thanks for reading and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!!

TK - TEXAS

jacquelyn p 12/23/2010 12:48:47

I cannot imagine Jesus up in heaven looking down on us each day and saying, "Oh, I'm withholding food, clothing, electricity, water, the car, their house, and ALL those other blessings, so that they'll be more spiritual and holy." That doesn't sound nor look like Jesus at all. As a matter of fact, it looks like a Pharisee. And what about the Christians here on earth who are abundantly blessed financially? Are they not also saved? We're not "saved" from anything just because we look or act or are poor, although I believe heaven will be full of poor people. Jesus looks down and sees each heart, and that's it. HE knows what we are trying to teach our children no matter how we present it, and HE will honor that. He doesn't just love us if we act poor.

JACQUELINE W 12/22/2011 04:13:58

I think this is a beautiful post! I am that mom of small children who can count. They know the reason for the season, but they also want the gifts. They know some or most of their gifts some years will be clothes, that's what they need. But every year we try very hard to get them the one toy or none clothing item they really want. On years when the money is tighter we let them know so they can set their desires on a more moderate tone. For the ffrst time EVER in my life I have had to give my children the gift of second hand items. Don't get me wrong, my first child wore handed down clothes from day one, but gifts were different, they were always new. It broke my heart this year to have to buy second hand clothes and gifts for my precious babies, but the young ones just wouldnt understand if there was nothing under the tree. Christ is first in our season. Even though things are tighter than normal this year my children still wanted to give to others.. We joined together with other home school families to send boxes to our troops overseas, we joined with our small church to send off 32 gifts to a local mission (3 of those were from our family). So the gifts are just a part of it. In this dedication she gives us food for thought, not the whole picture of her family. Take the food in the blessing and not just the words printed.

God bless each of you in this season. And God bless the writer of these devotionals!

REGINA C 12/22/2011 04:23:28

Thank you for these devotionals...each year they are used to bring to light a new/different point from last year..It's very interesting to think back on the message received last year verses this year depending on the stage/season of life that's happening at the moment...Just like the mother in this story did our perspective and understanding of God and how He loves us is revealed in how we portray Him to our children. Matthew 7:11,Acts 10:2

KRISTA R 12/22/2011 05:36:34

I was moved by this posting because, at the heart of it, it was not about the number of gifts - it was about a mother loving on her kids through quality time and creative giving (YES! it IS more fun to open several little gifts than one big one...that's OK). Thanks for sharing!

CHRISTINE K 12/22/2011 06:10:12

Each one of us have our own traditions. We give our children 3 gifts to represent the 3 gifts that Jesus received. We hide the gifts and place gold stars around the rooms for our children to follow and find their gifts, as the wise men followed to find Jesus. Knowing that our children are only getting 3 gifts has been wonderful! They don't expect any more, and we don't feel pressured to buy extra "just because." We do not do Santa, because we teach our children that only Jesus is all-knowing, omni-present, and all-sufficient. It's really important to share your thoughts and traditions, and not judge what others do, as that is between them and the Lord, and they are only accountable to the Lord, and speak the truth in love. Blessings to you all as we all celebrate this wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

CARA T 12/22/2011 08:21:18

When deciding the importance of gifts, keep in mind that each of us has our own love language. While gifts may seem to be trivial or materialistic to some, to others it may be a way that they express love. The mother in this devotional was not only speaking the love language of gift giving, but also of quality time. If you are unfamiliar with what I am talking about, check out the book THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman.

CINDY C 12/22/2011 08:29:09

I have been blessed by ALL the devotions that you have written! Because I have read enough of them... I knew exactly where your heart was... When you stated your "mother loved to give presents"... isn't that what God loves to do for us?! Absolutely! Do we always get what we want... not always.. bec. God knows what we need and don't need! Sounds like your Mother was very creative in figuring out a way to make a lot out of little.. I would say that is a Prov. 31 woman. Being resourceful. Also, if your Mother was materialistic she would have gone out and charged up presents and spent more than she could afford - but she didn't. She was being a good steward.

I love the prayers you put at the end of your writings too. I agree with so many of the positive comments that were mentioned above... and I am sorry that Darlene missed what the devo was truly about. I guess we all are entitled to our opinion -

Blessings to you and your family!

MRS. LAURIE W 12/22/2011 08:49:21

"The bigger concern/question should be: Why for a day that we're not instructed (or given example) in Scripture to commemorate (and of which so many stalwarts of the Faith throughout the centuries refused to partake in), do Christians nowadays debate and wrangle over so much?

What changed? Are we as a people better versed in Scripture than those of long ago? Do we have more liberty now than those who've gone before us?

Why do we put so much energy and effort into defending this holiday? To me these seem to be questions that need to be probed.

Our reasons/excuses to keep celebrating it are all pretty thin in my opinion (especially in light of the Bible's warnings to the rich and the admonitions to care for the poor).

These, Arthur, are what I believe to be bigger mysteries and more perplexing enigmas to understand than why some today refuse to celebrate it."

http://defendingcontending.com/2010/11/29/a-radical-approach-to-december-25th-why-we-wont-be-celebrating-christmas-this-year/#comment-25383

Jesus would not spend any day like this, here's how Jesus would have us spend it and there would be absolutely nothing 'Pharsaical' about spending every day like this either. Spoiled Americans and their so-called (lies) 'bad economy' boo hoo. What liars and deceivers. God save us from the bible belt!...who never seem to even read it let far alone obey it. Jesus said if you love me, you will obey me but if you do not obey me, you don't love me and He will say depart from me, ye worker of iniquity. Jesus is the judge and we are to learn Him and His way and it is a narrow way. The bible says judge righteously, which is His way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzQM3jklgVQ&feature=player_embedded

It's not legalism to obey one's own conscience in the light of Scripture, that's commendable, and to do otherwise is sin. Legalism creeps in when one would yoke others with their own personal convictions that are not explicit in Scripture, by going beyond what is written and measuring others by said personal standards. Legalism is spiritually deadly and sinful, as is license. God gave liberty but also told us may we sin abundantly so that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. This is sinful in God's eyes, who cares about yours or mine.

Look at this to learn how deceived you are;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzQM3jklgVQ&feature=player_embedded

MATTHEW 25:45! and notice that Jesus when he brought up you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children...if they asked for bread would you give a snake? no...notice it was BREAD NOT TOYS but NEEDS!

The children: "Ignorance and want"~ indeed!!

2 Chronicles 7:14~!!

The bible says why do you say you love me but do not which I say?

Remember His death, burial and resurrection they way He told you but nowhere does He tell us to celebrate His birthday..look up where this pagan (another one) celebration started too.

You've probably never met a Christian who did not celebrate Christmas because most of them are dead:

- The Apostles

- The early Church fathers

- The Puritans

- C.H. Spurgeon

- Jim Elliot

- etc.

Where did all your (traditions of men) begin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckxAN-b5X-U&feature=related

There is no fool like the sinner,

who prefers the toys of earth to the happiness of heaven;

who is held in bondage by the foolish customs of the world,

and is more afraid of the breath of man,

than of the wrath of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John Newton

Dear God, please make the blind see and the ignorant know and cause them to repent and turn away from these wicked ways and commit all their ways to only You. If you put being a patriot over what Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount (thou shall not murder and love your enemies) and take part in all its wars; you will be judged for it and it is idolatry.

Lord please make them hear and understand Your truth. In Jesus's name, Amen.

THOMAS C 12/22/2011 09:44:35

My goodness! Some of the Anti-Christmas posts sound bitter!

Lorie C

SONYA S 12/22/2011 10:39:50

Wow Mrs. Laurie..you are the perfect example of a Pharisee living by the law. All Truth and no Grace. Your post is very dark, bitter. Yes, everyone on this post is generally aware of the pagan roots of Christmas. However, Christ was born at some point in time and we celebrate the birth of our King. When I hear such a hostile post like this, it is so obvious that it is not of the Lord. I'm concerned about the source of this. No Joy.

CHRISTINE K 12/22/2011 15:51:56

Mrs. Laurie W...perhaps in your next study, you may want to check out Romans 14.

JANET L 12/23/2011 03:30:50

Wonderful story, reminds me of my Christmas days with my parents- I remember the sacrificial love through the gifts I received. It taught us not to be greedy but to appreciate whatever little we had. I hope to pass this on to my children. My husband and I enjoy giving gifts to our children, our friend's children and those whom we chose to bless to show the love of Christ( the greatest gift to mankind) It has opened doors for us to share Christ, who is the reason for this season . So why not, give? Let's look at this story in the right persepctive. You will be blessed!

KRISTIE C 12/23/2011 08:11:59

I think we should keep our petty comments to ourselves to be frank! What benefit is it to pick a fight with a small bunch of words someone else has written..moreover, what difference does it make what we think to anyone? These devotionals are meant to help us, but all I ever see in the comments is a bunch of women, fussing about something--no wonder we have such a stereotype. From now on, I will not subscribe to the online version of this devotional--kristie

CAROLYN B 12/30/2011 17:22:52

Hi. I RARELY comment on these devotionals, but i wanted to say that i learned a lot by reading ALL the comments. I appreciate everyone's perspective! I hope that each and every one of you has an AMAZING 2012!

ELIZABETH S 12/22/2012 09:14:05

I think it's sad that some who have commented would write discouraging words to someone who took the time to write this for the purpose of uplifting so many people. No, Christmas isn't about presents. But it does give us all a great joy for giving when we give someone we love a gift. This article made me smile and I thought about my son and I baking cookies for all our neighbors yesterday. Before we did it I explained to him that Jesus said to love our neighbor as ourself and we were showing them love by working hard to bake the cookies and taking them around the neighborhood. We do that every year and I'm so happy we have that tradition that he will be able to look back on one day and smile thinking about it. And maybe he'll do the same with his kids.

To the author of today's Daily Focus: Thank you so much for your hard work in writing encouraging words for us all. You are appreciated.

KATHY S 12/22/2012 12:54:03

This was a Wonderful Christmas devotion.

This year all I wanted for Christmas was for my son to get out of the hospital and start to heal.

It was the scariest thing ever for me to have the thought of losing my son.

So, I am happy for giving gifts and recieving gifts . But this year, I am most happy for the gift of my most precious son being home and getting well.

When we were little children, my Mother also, having minimal funds for Christmas because my Dad was laid off work alot, got us each 4 gifts, all, or most of these gifts were "hand me down" clothes and toys from my Aunt Julie.

We didn't know the difference when we were little. But the fact that we had gifts under the tree was nice. I am sorry for all the little children in the world who don't have gifts or clothes or food at Christmas, may God watch over them and bless them.

Thank you Jesus, and "Happy Birthday".

HEIDI M 12/23/2012 08:13:44

I totally get this post.....especially after reading, "The Five Love Languages". One of my very good friends love language is "gift giving".....she lives for it! We each have our language of showing and receiving love. This mother in the post definitely had this gift of love. And apparently he was right in the book when he wrote that people who don't share the same "love language" don't have much empathy for each other. I, as a mom, who is not a "gift giver" (my language is "acts of service") need to remember my children who are. They revive the fullest love when given in their "language". Thanks for the reminder!

mechelle bryan 12/22/2013 21:30:31

I thought this was a beautiful, heart warming devotional who truly depicted how great a mother's love can and should be. I think it's pathetic when some Christians say that they don't give at Christmastime because it's not about presents. Christmas is about Jesus and Jesus did something that very few of us do. He gave. He gave His life for us. While many of us cannot give on such an exponential level, we can give using using whatever resources that we have. We as Christians can honor God by giving to others in the same way that he FREELY GAVE to us. I for one, take pride in giving because it's something I love to do and I do so with no problems. For those being critical of this article, I have a few points to make:

1. Many people show their love through giving (someone mentioned the Five Love Languages) yes it is true, giving is a language of love.

2. The Bible speaks so highly about giving and how The Lord loves a cheerful giver!

3. Giving is a spiritual gift from God. Some people naturally have this gift ingrained within their beings. Who are we to criticize a mother for wanting to give her children as many gifts as possible? That is a true example of giving with simplicity!

Romans 12:6-8 KJV "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

4. The wise men brought gifts to dear baby Jesus to celebrate His birth, hence the giving gifts at Christmastime.

Cheri Perez 12/23/2013 17:54:46

This exactly why some people want nothing to do with the church! bicker, bicker, bicker....over what??

In this devotion obviously the woman's mother was a great testimony to her growing up of Jesus' love and sacrifice. Let's not put God in a box. He uses each of us in different ways to reach and teach others. The key is to be doing His will.

1 Samuel 16:7

...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”


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