Adjust Your Living, Not Your Giving

I think it happens somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12 that a child has this awakening that Christmas isn't only about them receiving gifts but also about sharing in the joy of giving gifts. At least that's what happening in the Alessi Family this Holiday season. Now that we have a grip on the Santa Claus controversy and the youngest is finally on the same page with the rest of the clan, a interesting phenomenon has occurred this year with everyone wanting to "give" each other gifts.

It's been adorable to watch and it all started on Black Friday with our youngest pulling me to the side whispering as she secretly revealed what she purchased for her sisters and brother. This Monday when the mailman delivered a package I read off one of the girl’s name on the delivery label and a scream came from the living room as she came running in, snatched it out of my hand with another scream, and ran to her bedroom still screaming, as she went like a squirrel to hide its food amongst the debris of clothes, school work, computers and guitars. It was one of the gifts she ordered for her sister on Amazon.

It took me back for a split second to the many years Mary and I would secretly hide the booty from a long day of battles fought at the mall and Toys-R-Us. And though I will forever miss those moments that parents enjoy so much during the season, I'm more thankful now that our entire family can share in the greater experience of Christmas. That is the excitement of seeing your loved one grab hold of the specially wrapped box that you worked so hard on perfectly wrapping, and with each tear of the paper you watch with anticipation for the look on their face as they reveal the gift you solely set aside for them. And then as they hold it up and joyful shout, "It's just what I wanted"! Man, that feeling right there is one of the greatest moments to be shared in life. It's the Joy of Giving which trumps all the other experiences of Christmas morning.

Could it be the exact feeling God experienced when the Child let out a whimper in the Manger? We're told it's what happens in Heaven every time a person connects with God and becomes a Christian as the Bible speaks about rejoicing taking place when such an event occurs. It's God's way of celebrating the joy of giving when someone opens His personalized gift to humanity. So I suspect the act of giving and the euphoric feelings that come with it was deposited into our DNA directly from our Creator.

This year, focus more on the giving instead of the receiving. Give your best gifts and while you're giving, be sure to give the gift of your time to memories that will make Christmas 2011 one of the greatest. And though the economy may be putting a crunch on all our finances, don't let it keep us from giving the best gift of our happy selves.

And one last thought. Amongst all the giving that you will be doing this Holiday season, what gift do you plan of giving the King? Let me encourage you to include Jesus in your gift giving this Christmas. After all, it is His Birthday we're celebrating and because the real Black Friday occurred way before the retail sales industry got a hold of it, we're able to enjoy a euphoric life that comes as we relationally connect with Him.

On this PrayDay, I'm asking you to do two things. First, pray about giving the perfect gifts you can give to your loved ones and friends this Christmas. And second, pray about bringing a gift to Jesus this coming weekend at Metro Life Church as we celebrate the King with "The Gift". I'm praying our MLC Family sees the Eternal value of their seed sown, and may we all experience the Giver’s High that will make our Holidays compete.