Christmas Gifts That You "Get" and Give Too!

Every Christmas we hear about how it is better to give than to receive, true. Ok, but what about getting? Here are three suggestions of what you can "get" for yourself which also give to others.

A. Get behind a cause. This can be a daunting task because we each have different interests, those concerns that pull on our heart strings-and the organizations that address these causes are plenty and varied.

Sifting through all the options is a bit time-consuming, but the point is that you are giving your time, energy, and/or money to help someone besides yourself.

The man who started Christmas (who it is named after) said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 How much you have shouldn't determine how much you give. This is one core value that works every time, and it’s a motto worth living by. Truly, good is about serving people. And when you serve people, the cares you have will take care of themselves.

I am not suggesting that we all try to become the next Mother Teresa, I am just saying that our life diminishes when we disconnect from people. And more specifically, life becomes proportionately poorer in our experiences when we ignore those who need help.

B. Get a life. This one is connected to the idea of giving to a cause but is broader in scope. In truth life is more about connecting with people than anything else. 

When you communicate to another person that they have value to you, you are in a sense exchanging life with that person. So, it stands to reason that when you make this exchange for a cause bigger than yourself, the more life you experience. 

Those who live truly happy lives have learned this simple key: Live like your life matters to others. How do we do this? We get a life that causes others to be glad we did. This is the gift that keeps on giving!

C. Get closer to God. This is the “get” which ultimately feeds the first two. The saying that we are as close to God as we want to be, is true. Scripture is clear if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8) Cultivate your relationship with your heavenly Father and those around you will be the better for the time and energy you spend in His presence.

Do not underestimate the power of intimacy with God and the impact to better the lives of those around you. Jesus is the ultimate example of this truth. Matthew 14:23

Christ did not serve others from His own physical energy or yesterday’s time spent in prayer. The daily time spent in the Spirit drawing life from the Father is how Christ could do the work the Father sent Him to do, not least of which included going to the cross to take away the sin of the world! John 1:29

With these gifts you give to yourself, you also become a gift to others. 

You're welcome, and Merry Christmas!