Christmas is about giving.

Long ago, amid chaos, uncertainty, and the darkness of the night, the first Christmas gift was given. It was a gift that would last for all eternity. One born out of love and mercy — a gift of hope.

God gave us His only son to walk among us as a man, to perform miracles, and to share His message of a new beginning saturated in grace, love, and forgiveness — a message of eternal life. He gave us His son to conquer death. But it was a gift that would not come without a heavy cost. A cost that mandated He watch the brutal suffering of His only son and His death on the cross.

But sometimes we lose sight of that powerful truth as the world overwhelms us with Christmas marketing.

At Christmas time, it seems our senses are bombarded with messages beckoning us to buy, buy, buy and give, give, give. Maybe you live where gift-giving has become a comparison trap or a tradition that has lost its place and meaning. Maybe something has closed off your heart altogether to the concept of “giving”. And maybe, just maybe, your heart has hardened a bit like the infamous Mr. Scrooge.

But, just like Mr. Scrooge, we lose so much in the hardening of our hearts. We lose so much when we forget the gift we received that Christmas night so long ago. Christmas is about giving. This truth still endures. It is about the gift God gave us — the gift of His son.

And just as the wise men honored Christ by giving their treasures to Him, we, too, choose to give. They gave not only their treasures, but the gift of time as they traveled to find Him. And they gave the gift of love and honor as they worshiped and praised Jesus.

God so loved us that He gave His only Son on that first Christmas night. Now, out of our gratitude, our fullness of heart, and in our commitment to follow Jesus we, too, give.

We are called to a life of more than ourselves — a life that gives to those in need. And even though as Christians we are called to that way of life year-round, Christmas is a time to exemplify that calling. It is a reminder of the gift God gave us that night.

Christmas is about giving. Not just tangible gifts, but gifts of time and love. It’s a time and a brilliant opportunity to give hope. Hope to friends and family —  and hope to a world in dire need of Jesus.

“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 HCSB