Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15-16

Why do we give gifts to each other to celebrate Christmas? Why do some families go and serve in a soup kitchen or something like that?

The custom of giving gifts to each other as an expression of gratitude to God for His deliverance actually goes way back to before Christmas. In the book of Esther, the Bible mentions that the Jewish people started the custom of sending each other gifts to celebrate Purim, to thank God for delivering them from a Holocaust-in-the-making during the Persian Empire.

We celebrate God’s gift of salvation and thank Him for His generosity toward us in coming to be our Savior, by being generous in return and giving gifts to each other.

Just as a father is pleased to see his children being grateful, kind and generous to each other, God is pleased to see such sacrificial giving in His beloved children, at Christmas or any other time. But what better time to do it than in celebration of the Savior’s birth?

Father, You know that sometimes it’s a stretch to come up with gifts. It costs us, and sometimes we’re tempted to just give up on it. But out of gratitude for Your outpouring of love for me, I want to give and be generous this week! Lord Jesus, bless our family’s celebration of Your birth. Be present with us as we joyfully and gratefully gather in Your name and give each other gifts. Amen.

 Pastor Dan Giles