Courageous Joy

Giving and Receiving

How many times have you heard, “Christmas is not about gifts!?” “Your focus should not be gifts!?”

I’m hear to tell you that Christmas is ALL about gifts and your focus must STAY firmly planted on gifts! In truth, our focus must remain on giving and receiving throughout this season.

I’ve experienced what I’ve come to term the Christmas Pendulum. Maybe you’ve seen it too. On one end is over the top Commercialism and on the other end is Spiritual Scroogism. (I’m not talking here of those who have a conviction from God not to celebrate Christmas at all). As we walk by the Spirit, we must seek to find the balance between Commercialism and Spiritual Scroogism. We must also teach these principles to our children/grandchildren.

Giving is a very part of God’s nature. Perhaps the most loved verse about giving in the word is John 3:16, “For God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God gives. In our home we’ve prayed and taught and mentored our children with a desire for them to become people characterized by hearts of giving.

We’ve modeled giving of self, of time, of blessings, of spiritual giftedness, and yes of monetary gifts. Obviously, this is a family focus not only at Christmas, but all through the year.

At Christmas we’ve focused on giving and not receiving. This time of the year it’s crystal clear to see if the Shepherd’s heart of giving has been formed in an individual.

We are a large family. We have lots of gifts under our tree (or will have by 24 Dec). At times some, who perhaps have a log (or even just the teeniest of specks) in their own eye on this issue, have suggested that our Christmas is materialistic and focuses on things. Not so. We keep Christ the center of all we do – including our giving throughout the year and at Christmas.

It’s become very popular in some circles to limit giving. This is in response to the rampant self focus in our society. God gives without limit. We don’t. We believe in debt-free living. We have boundaries on our giving. Still, we want our children to learn to give generously, without limits, as God enables them to do and as they purpose in their hearts. We, as parents, give just one gift to each of our 9 children. We spend no more than $50 a person. This hardly qualifies as over the top commercialism. So WHY does our tree look so very materialistic? (I should insert a photo at the end of the mont. LOL) Because giving mushrooms! Each of our 9 children will usually buy at least one gift for each other family member and guest in our home. Isn’t this a kingdom principle? We give and God multiplies that gift, often spurring others to give.

God gave without limit. God gave His very son so that we might have life, relationship with Him. Jesus was born to die. It was God’s plan to make us holy as we cannot do it for ourselves. My character should reflect His nature of giving ever more strongly as I walk with Him. Christmas is ALL about THE GIFT(s) - possibility of relationship with God, eternal life, peace, joy, hope, love,provision, children….

God also receives. Where there are givers, there must be receivers. God gives, we must receive. John 1:12 states, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

We must accept and eagerly receive what God has given. In the same way, a discerning believer must learn to graciously receive what is given by those around us.

We teach our children to give to others (Operation Christmas Child, our garbage men, our neighbors, clerks in stores, chapel folk and staff) and we teach them to give to each other.

We also teach our children to receive. Why? Because, clearly, receiving is also a spiritual principle. (And there is nothing worse than a child who doesn’t take the time to say thank you. LOL) They must receive salvation, they must receive the Holy Spirit, and they must daily receive Christ into their “routine”. They must learn to receive, as well as to give, love. When others give, they will receive.

Is it in God’s nature to receive? I believe so. He receives our service, our love, our obedience and our worship. He receives the glory that the fruit in our lives and our good deeds bring (Matt. 5:16).

We pray for the heart of God to be formed in our lives and the lives of our children. It’s so easy to get out of balance in this area, especially as we view the excess of the season. If not careful we react to the selfish commercialism by down playing righteous giving and receiving. It’s really a heart issue.


Giving and receiving are foundational not only to this season but to our very faith walk. Christmas really IS all about the gift. We celebrate receiving Christ into our universe and into our lives. We celebrate the gift.
We would do well to keep that focus, during this season yes, and throughout the year. We want our lives to reflect both the giving and receiving found in the nature and character of our Heavenly Father.