To me a gift is an intention. A thought created of you, in someone’s mind becoming a physical manifestation. Unique to your likes, a memory, a joke, most commonly given at one’s birthday.
This week I read somewhere when your heart becomes so full it overflows with generosity. No longer "wanting" anything except the joy of putting a smile on someone’s face. Fulfilling a need of food, money, or a special something.
Gifts do not always have to be material. They can be freedom, love, time, or attention. Sometimes the most meaningful presents can be our PRESENCE. Each other. Just learning to be and enjoy each day as it comes. We can easily get caught up in having to buy something for everyone - even people we have not known long - just to do it. I think it is beautiful to give do not get me wrong and if the intention is pure give, give away. However, in times of lost jobs, loved ones and instability this is a reminder to be creative in our giving.
Although Christmas is a beautiful time of year to remember our loved ones while creating memories or reminisce. I hope we also take time to remember the best gift. Jesus - wise Men still seek him. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life... Jesus gave all.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! God bless!
Here are a few scriptures to teach us more about this subject:
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive"
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Luke 21:1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken, together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each if you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
