The Reason for the Season

I mean, don’t get me wrong, diamonds ARE the reason for the season. I would never argue that, but if you would let me go deeper with you today, I want to talk about the reality of our modern Christmas. 

The older I become, the more overwhelmed I am by theshopping and the wishlists, and the more I fall in love with the quality time I get to spend with my family. Everyone’s holiday season looks very different, I am sure, but I wanted to challenge myself and my faithful blog readers (so -- mom it's just you and me) to think of a way that we can remind ourselves of what is really important this holiday season. 

Christmas is our refresh, our reminder of what matters most: kindness, generosity, hope, and togetherness. Life is so busy, especially around the holidays, that those aspects of the season are lost, and in return, Christmas is turned into a stressful, materialistic mess. So here’s my tactic for this year: we will just make it about one word, generosity. You may have to memorize your errands list and the food you’re supposed to bring to your mother-in-law's house, but you can still have space for generosity. 

If you’re merely asking Google, generosity is described as “the quality of being kind and generous,” but if you were asking me (your wise, intellectual, fearless blog enthusiast), I would say the definition is far more complex. Generosity is about more than just money… It’s about giving in tangible ways. Offering time, a thoughtful gift, or simply showing up for those who need us. This kind of generosity is sustainable and meaningful because it’s rooted in something greater than finances.

The best gifts aren’t the ones we give out of obligation, but those that we give because we genuinely invested ourselves into the gift. The best gifts I have ever received have been incredibly thoughtful and rarely carry a dollar sign in front of them. Giving your time to spend with someone or serve someone, giving words of encouragement, giving something specific to that relationship; it doesn’t have to look like the crazy new expectation we have set for each other. Gifts motivated by a sense of duty or the pressure of the season are far less valuable than gifts given out of joy and compassion. 

Even more unheard of to me, yet crucial to the holiday season, is to define generosity as indiscriminate. If we’re redefining generosity as free and easy, why don't we eliminate the boundaries we have drawn up… Giving generously without expectations is not only awesome, but there's also a high chance you’re inspiring others to be generous as well.

Plus, now that you haven't spent as much money on your gifts, you can buy yourself that necklace you have been eyeing at the store ;)  

But seriously, as your “wise, intellectual, fearless blog enthusiast,” I cannot fully explain generosity without acknowledging the most perfect, unselfish example of what generosity really looks like. I will never be able to fully understand the sacrifice that God made for us when He sent His son Jesus to live a perfect life and die a selfless death for our salvation. His generosity is the reason we celebrate. His immeasurable gift should be the root of all of our unselfish giving. 

 

Even here in the store the holidays mean something different for all of us. However, personally, I cannot separate the holidays from the gift of the Gospel. You don’t have to feel this way or agree with me, and you definitely don’t have to stop reading the blogs ;), but if your holiday seasons feel unsatisfying, I challenge you to lean into this generosity and look into the greatest gift you will ever receive—the Gospel. It is perfectly suited to any need or wishlist item you might have. That's why the Bible is so thick: He has so generously provided us with a whole book of suitable places and relatable scenarios where the Gospel is unfolded for you in order for you to comprehend His perfect generosity. 

So get on with it, go make a Christmas treat bag for the next person you pull up to standing on the side of the road, go write that note to that one friend who always compliments how beautiful your Saffron Jewelry is… Most importantly, go prioritize our new definition of generosity this season.