Share the Hope!

Welcome to our special series, “Keeping Christ at the Center of Your Holidays.”

Over the next few weeks, you get to enjoy the wonderful words of my amazing friends as they share with you creative and practical ways you can keep Christ in the middle of all of your celebrations.

Our prayer is that you will come to know Him, worship Him, enjoy Him, celebrate Him, and share Him with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. People all around us need to know the love of Jesus.

May we all be bright “lights” this year – sharing hope to those who need it most!


“The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when he gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son.”

~Robert Flatt

Choosing the perfect gifts at Christmas can be a real challenge. What should you give, how much should you spend, how many gifts should you give? This article gives you the most wonderful way to simplify your gift giving and enjoy Christmas more. Why not drop by for a visit?


How to Simplify Your Gift-Giving & Enjoy Christmas More

A few years ago our family dramatically changed its gift-giving traditions.

Really?!

Indeed, you might be wondering how it’s possible to get a family to change 20+ years of tradition without a major meltdown?

Truly, it was really easier than you might think.

Our children were grown and our grandchildren were young . . . the perfect time for a change. And I’m so glad we went for it because this meaningful way of gifting has been enthusiastically embraced as our new tradition.

Our children were grown and our grandchildren were young . . . the perfect time for a change. And I’m so glad we went for it because this meaningful way of gifting has been enthusiastically embraced as our new tradition. Click To Tweet


The Magi came to Bethlehem with gifts to worship Jesus.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, it was during the reign of King Herod.

About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1–2

In addition, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Each gift (as it turns out) represented a significant part of Jesus life and ministry:

Gold

A gift was given to royalty.

Further, pure gold was considered to be a gift of virtue. For us, gold reminds us that our holy Savior is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Frankincense

A gift of costly resin used in incense, to represent the prayers of the people ascending to God.

For us, frankincense reminds us that Jesus is our high priest, who sits at the right hand of the Father, and intercedes on our behalf as we lift our prayers in His precious name.

Myrrh

A gift that foreshadowed Jesus’s suffering and death. Myrrh was used medicinally as an anointing oil for wounds, and an embalming oil following death.

The gift of myrrh reminds us of Jesus’s sacrifice. His very life for our salvation.

Now, back to our gift-giving.

No, our family doesn’t actually wrap up little packages of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Choosing the perfect gifts at Christmas can be a real challenge. What should you give, how much should you spend, how many gifts should you give? This article gives you the most wonderful way to simplify your gift giving and enjoy Christmas more. Why not drop by for a visit?


Instead, we give each person three gifts with Magi meaning:

Gold – a gift the person has listed as their “treasure.”

This doesn’t need to be costly . . . just have value for them.

Frankincense – a gift to bless their spiritual life.

This might be a devotional book, an uplifting DVD, or a new CD by their favorite Christian artist.

Myrrh – a gift for the body.

This is usually cologne, a lotion, or clothing . . . something which soothes or comforts them physically.

There you have it!


The Gifts of the Magi giving tradition.

We love it!

It has taken a lot of the stress out of our holiday preparations, changed our focus on gift-giving, and blessed us more than you can imagine.

And, the star that they had seen in the East went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was.

When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. They came to the house where the child was and saw Him with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They opened their gifts and gave Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9b-11

It has taken a lot of the stress out of our holiday preparations, changed our focus on gift-giving, and blessed us more than you can imagine. Click To Tweet

Then, we read through the meanings behind each gift and set our hearts and minds on Jesus the reason for our celebration and God’s greatest gift.

Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words. 2 Corinthians 9:15

If you’re not ready to change your Christmas celebration, you might want to keep this in mind as a way to celebrate Epiphany on January 6th or add it to what you’re already doing.

I pray your Christmas preparations are blessed and that your celebration is filled with His love and joy! Click To Tweet

So, what’s your favorite tip for making Christmas gift-giving meaningful?

 


About the Author – Deb Wolf:

  • I am a blessed child of God, pastor’s wife, mom, gram, daughter, sister, and friend whodeb-2-200
    loves nothing better than laughing with friends over a good cup of coffee.
  • Also, I love sharing the amazing ways God transformed a “good little church girl” into a woman of faith, who is crazy in love with Jesus through my writing and at retreats and conferences.
  • Truly, I am a work in progress taking life one grace-filled moment at a time.
  • In addition, you can find Deb at http://countingmyblessings.com and at http://faithnfriends.com.


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This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Additionally, Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Also, for more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Further, excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.



helloredds@gmail.com

Best-Selling Author | Speaker | Blogger| Podcaster | When the world is falling apart, we can ALWAYS trust in God’s goodness!

11 Comments

Teresa · 12/16/2019 at 12:24 PM

Wonderful idea! I am saving for next Christmas. We give to many in our church, friends and widows, as well as family and this would bring even more meaning to Christmas. I’ve enjoyed giving family, friends and our pastor and his wife the advent balls from https://shop.everthinehome.com/collections/christmas

    helloredds@gmail.com · 12/17/2019 at 10:21 AM

    Thank you, Teresa!
    I thought Deb shared such a great idea here.
    And, I love that you have shared gifts with your pastor and his wife! Woohoo!
    Blessings and Merry Christmas!
    Melanie

Angela Howard · 11/28/2016 at 10:45 AM

I love this creative idea Deb! It so important to remember why we give and these themes help you do exactly that. I’m your neighbor at #momentsofhope today. Thank you Melanie for hosting this great series 🙂

BlessingCounterDeb · 11/27/2016 at 1:26 PM

It has helped so much, Melinda. I’m less stressed and that helps me keep my focus on Jesus. A blessings all around. Thanks so much!

purpleslobinrecovery · 11/26/2016 at 1:10 PM

This is great! Thanks for sharing, Deb. How wonderful to re-focus our thoughts on Jesus!!

Crystal Twaddell · 11/25/2016 at 5:17 PM

Deb, this is wonderful! My kids are all college age, and each year since they were born, we have bought each 3 gifts, and then we also gave each 1 ornament to symbolize a specific blessing in their life for that year. Once they are married, we will give each their ornaments. Our tree has been beautifully decorated with blessings through the years. I love taking your idea for when we have grandchildren!

    BlessingCounterDeb · 11/27/2016 at 1:23 PM

    I’m so glad you like it, Crystal. It sounds like you’ve done something very similar. I especially like the ornament idea. So many memories on your tree. I love it! Thanks and blessings to you!

marthajaneorlando · 11/25/2016 at 3:50 PM

Such simple but, oh so meaningful ways to give from the heart in celebration of God’s wondrous gift to us in Jesus. That would take away so much stress from what should be a season of joy! Thank you, Deb!

    BlessingCounterDeb · 11/27/2016 at 1:22 PM

    Thanks, Martha! It has simplified our giving and changed helped us to keep our focus on Jesus. We love it!

BlessingCounterDeb · 11/25/2016 at 7:48 AM

Thank YOU, Melanie! I’m so blessed to be part of this series that offers us many ways to point our hearts and homes back to the best part of why we celebrate Christmas – our Savior, Jesus. <3

helloredds · 11/25/2016 at 6:40 AM

Thank you, Deb, for this wonderful word about gift giving. What a creative idea! I don’t think I’d ever heard of doing this until I read your post. Thank you for sharing with us today and for reminding us to keep our focus on the true gift of Christmas – Jesus!

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