Why Give Christmas Presents?
The giving of Christmas presents is a long-standing tradition, and I like it. But like so many good things, it can be abused. Sometimes kids get so greedy around Christmastime that entitlement replaces humble gratitude, and well-intentioned parents go light on the gift-giving, while others eliminate gift-giving altogether in an effort to keep their kiddos from sinning.
I get this. There’s nothing quite as ugly as a kid who doesn’t like his Christmas gift…and who lets the world know it. Ours is a very privileged culture, and we’re pretty familiar with this sort of attitude. But I don’t believe that the idea is to make others suffer for the selfish attitudes of a few.
Perhaps this kid needs to NOT get gifts this Christmas to learn a dose of humility. You know, to receive what he actually deserves. But I want to challenge us to be more intentional about our gift-giving this Christmas. Here are some reasons I think it’s great to give Christmas presents:
1. To commemorate Christmas.
The giving of gifts is an age old custom in many cultures for the celebration of special occasions. It’s a human thing to do. And if there’s a day on the calendar worth celebrating, it’s Christmas.
The exchanging of gifts helps us to celebrate. I can remember certain Christmases from my childhood by the Christmas presents I received. And far from taking away from the significance of Christmas, it served to make those Christmases even more special.
The specialness of the coming of Christ was demonstrated in the giving of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the wise men from the east (Matthew 2:11). The advent of the Messiah was a special occasion, and gift giving was in order.
Christmas is an occasion worth celebrating, and we can celebrate with feasting, merry-making and gift-giving.
2. To be like God.
God gives. It’s in His nature. And His generosity is a communicable attribute, meaning it’s possible for us to behave in this way, too. He has given His Son at Christmas, and we ought to give as well.
Of course we can’t give as perfectly as He does, but as we are giving of ourselves and of our resources, we better bear His image.
3. To build anticipation.
The season of Advent is about looking ahead to the first coming of Christ. It’s a commemorative season full of anticipation. You know what else helps build anticipation? A beautifully-wrapped package under the Christmas tree that says, “Do not open until Christmas.”
Excitement to receive presents on Christmas morning is a picture of the excitement that the world should have to receive into the world the greatest gift ever: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
The most thankful people are those who are aware of what they deserve. The Bible teaches that we’re fallen sinners deserving of God’s wrath, not His favor. All the good things that we have – from salvation in Christ to stocking stuffers that aren’t coal – are grace. All of it. Grace is undeserved. This sweetens the receiving of gifts like a candy cane stirring hot chocolate.
Help others to look forward to Christmas, and look forward to Christ’s second Advent with eagerness.
But what about the greedy kid?
Returning now to the spoiled kid who thanklessly tosses aside his socks and underwear, what do we do about him? Well, we teach him. That much is inescapable. Our passive response teaches him that his behavior is acceptable; our proactive response teaches him that it’s not. But the following ought to be among the teaching points:
First, if giving is God-like, that is what we ought to pursue, rather than constantly receiving. A way to emphasize this is by giving to those who cannot return the favor (Luke 14:12-14).
Second, in the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). And the first time a kid gives a thoughtful gift, he’ll start to understand this. But he’ll see that a sure-fire way to rob the joy of a gift giver is to be a lousy receiver. We’ve all given gifts only to have the receiver give a lukewarm response in return. All of a sudden the gift giving isn’t fun.
So give thoughtful Christmas presents this year. (Note, I didn’t say “expensive”; I said “thoughtful.”) And when someone loves you enough to give you a thoughtful gift, receive it with absolute delight…for their sake and yours.
Giving gifts can help that greedy kid! I know that when I was finally old enough to be able to pick gifts for family, it was fantastic to see their reactions to what I had chosen for them. As I’ve gotten older, Christmas has become more so about being able to find just the right thing and less about what I am getting on Christmas. But I do like how you explained this whole bit – Jesus is all about giving, that’s His whole teaching in a nutshell. And in this time to remember Him and show Him our love, we give. We cannot give as much as He did, but we can still show others that we love them!
I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Very well stated. Thank you for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
This is probably the best article I’ve read about gift giving. I had to chuckle about the greedy kid. I think we’ve all experienced “that kid”.
Thanks for a great article and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you very much. Unfortunately, the greedy kid is pretty familiar.
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.