I was in Walmart the other day shopping for our Thanksgiving feast when a sign caught my eye. It sat above an end cap filled with discounted groceries, and it read “More Christmas for your money!”
The sign instantly struck a chord with me, but it was a painful pluck on the strings of my heart. Because the sign had it all wrong. We have it all wrong. The Amazon-shopping, discount-hunting, gift-giving spender in me has it all wrong.
No amount of money can buy you more Christmas. No discounts or sales will make this season any more joyful. No gifts – given or received – can make this time any more sweet.
Because Christmas, ultimately, is about Him. It’s only ever been about Him. And it will only ever be about Him.
And here’s the real kicker. The truth that should punch you in the gut. His gift is free…
While we spend our time clipping coupons, scouring ads, making list, and fighting for spots in the mall parking lot, His hand is extended to us.
This isn’t a plea to simplify this Christmas. It’s a plea to believe in the One who’s already given the greatest gift to us. My hope is that if you truly believe that Christ is the greatest gift, born humbly in a manger thousands of years ago, a Savior who can still change your life today, that your Christmas will look radically different. But I don’t know how it will look different… It might mean buying more presents, or fewer presents, or no presents at all. It might mean giving away food or hosting a meal or inviting someone new to church. It might mean reconciling with an enemy, biting your tongue at a family gathering, or extending a warm welcome to a new friend.
No matter what it looks like on the outside, hopefully it stems from a heart that is overflowing with thanks to God for the gift of his Son. And hopefully it also means you are joyfully seeking out those who don’t know… so you can tell them about the most lavish gift of the season.
