Of all the pre-Christmas preparations of card sending, decorating the house, baking, and the like, the one that seems to consistently give people anxiety is gift buying. Every family has those members who just seem to be impossible to buy for. To ease our pain, some families draw names and select only one person. Others exchange Christmas wish lists. Then there is always the gift certificate when we can let them do the work. No matter what the solution, this month will find most of us hurrying to stores, fighting traffic, and rushing to the post office.

Although often frustrating, gift giving can also be a spiritually valuable part of Christmas when it directs our hearts to the Father’s gift of His Son. In the Babe of Bethlehem, we have been given forgiveness, grace, hope, peace, life, and light. Unrequested and unexpected, God sent The Gift that satisfied our greatest need, giving us more that we desired or deserved.

In response to God’s gifts, the Wise Men brought their gifts. We, too, having by faith received Christ, give our gifts to God and to each other. Material gifts are one expression. Another expression is seeking to share Jesus with others this Christmas season. Invite someone to church, have family Advent devotions, send Christian Christmas cards, or find any meaningful expression you can to bring Jesus into someone’s Christmas. No greater gift has ever been given, and no better gift can we share with our family, friends, and community this Christmas than Jesus Christ.