Less than a week from Christmas...did you put thought into your gifts? |
Dec 19, 2009 |
We are less than a week from Christmas….did you put thought into the gift(s) you are about to give?
We all have received some lame gifts at Christmas, things that we either didn’t want or need. What were your emotions when you received that gift? What were your feelings toward the person(s) who gave you the gift?
As I have pondered these questions (sorry to say more than once during my lifetime), I found myself not so disturbed by the gift I was given, but by the lack of thought and consideration that was put into why this gift was chosen. Did they really think that I could use this? Did they really think this was something I would like? Does this gift reflect who they think I am? Or more to the point, does this gift reflect who they are?
The gifts the wise men gave were not given because they were #1 on the list of top Christmas gifts. They were given as the result of years of study, and each one spoke into the significance of who Christ was and their desire to help Him be who He came to be.
- Gold – gift for a king, showing support and/or need of support.
- Frankincense – gift for a priest, whose duty was to burn incense as intercession for the people
- Myrr – perfume, hallucinogen, pain relief, used to mask the smell of death.
These gifts were well thought out and useful for the gift receiver.
When you give gifts, what message do your gifts say to others? Are they saying; “I know you and I want to affirm and support you in that journey? Or do they say something else?
TG Principle 3 states: “it is better to give than to receive.” This is a true statement on so many levels, but my challenge to you this year is that you would give with purpose and thought. Not to give just because it made you feel good that you gave, but that the recipient would be helped and blessed by the impact it would make in their lives.
My challenge is not just for you today, but that you would be engaging with your champions so they would know more (be better informed and coached) about the cause you both are passionate about throughout the year.
Help your champions to know how to give gifts that make the greatest impact.
God’s gift to us has had (and will continue to have) the greatest impact of all time. He had a plan and a purpose!
