Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart. I read an article today that started out something like this. “There’s an old saying that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. I disagree with that … and then the author goes on to explain her point.” The truth is, that old saying is a direct quote from Jesus as written in the book of Acts 20:35. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and deep in our hearts we know giving is first an attitude of the heart. For some, a giving spirit seems to be part of their DNA, where others have to be reminded because it doesn’t come naturally to them.
We all know how to give from our possessions and give back of ourselves. We feel good when we have helped someone else feel good. Think about the last week. Without dwelling too intently on the subject, you can probably think of a number of things you have given away. At the grocery store, you may have contributed to a food pantry. You said yes when the cashier at the dollar store asked if you would like to donate a toy to a military family. At the gas station maybe you dropped your change into a container where money is being collected for a community member who needs medical care. You baked and shared. You put in extra money when the offering plate was passed at church. You threw a few dollars into the Salvation Army Red Kettle, maybe more than once. Your list could be exhaustive – it could reflect your exhaustion with giving. So that’s why I don’t want to dwell on giving material things. 
For now, set all that aside and think about giving that comes from the heart. Wait! Isn’t that what we were just discussing? Giving is an attitude of the heart. Yes, yes it is. But in all the giving of things we can touch and feel, God has something even more important for us to give. In Matthew 23:23 Jesus sternly spoke to people about being good about giving money away but they were failing miserably at giving justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus leveled their attitudes and called them out for their motives. Early in the chapter, Jesus warns people about following leaders who had knowledge but were bad examples. Their motives were all messed up. Their hearts were calloused and pride made them impenetrable to acts of justice or mercy or faithfulness. Jesus told the people, “Don’t forget what is most important. Justice, Mercy, and Faith.”
People have needs. People need each other. We are all people. Keep giving. Keep helping. Keep loving. In our giving and helping and loving from our abundance, let’s remember to share abundantly from our hearts with justice, mercy, and faith. Let’s think before we post or speak. Listen at heart level, accept people for who they are, and be kind. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Smile. If you see someone without a smile, share yours. Be a friend. Tell someone they matter.
Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart. This is a song I learned when my kids were very young. It touched my heart deeply then and I believe it today. Christmas is a date on the calendar, it’s a holiday many people claims as their favorite, it’s a season, it’s a story, it’s family, it’s friends – but Christmas is more than that. It’s the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the savior. And Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart. Listen below!
One of the more quiet messages in Matthew is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Much like the difference between giving money and giving from the heart. Of course, giving money can come from the heart, but more often it doesn’t. It is too often a matter of convenience or conscience.
Giving is very easy for me, but I remember when I was working it was, as you say, more convenient to give money. I rationalized that money was the best gift, when there were times when my presence or another way of giving might have been better. Thank you Ken, for understanding where I was coming from.
I totally get where you’re coming from, Ken. When I was working it was easier to give money. I rationalized that money was the better way to give when in reality, it often would have been a better gift had I given myself and my time. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Beautiful Jane, as you are within your soul and I pray that those who have no faith or desire to know the true meaning of Christmas will be touched with the miracle of God into the heart of their souls. God Bless and have a blessed Christmas
Dear Lynn, your faith is so evident and I appreciate you SO much. You are a sister of my heart.
May you experience the comfort and joy of the savior long after the Christmas season has passed.
Dear Lynn, your answer is precious. Your strong faith is so apparent and I appreciate how you share it openly. I feel like we are sisters of the heart. May you experience the comfort and joy of the savior long after the Christmas season has passed.