How to have Christmas all year

Sometimes after Christmas or around the end of the year we are asked "Did you have a big Christmas?" I have never been exactly sure what this means. Are you asking me if I got big gifts or a lot of gifts, or if I had a "big time" at Christmas?

As I reflect back on the days of December and the Christmas season, I remember fun parties, classic Christmas carols, too much food, sweet presents, and dear family and friends. But I can say that I have had one of the best Christmases because I was able to give to those who were unable to give to me. Some people don't have much to give because they are too far down in their own hole. The severely diabetic boy at the orphanage that I was able to help with his homework, that new convert at the jail with a fresh glow of salvation on her face and a new Bible in her hand: these two memories will be special because to me they represent the true spirit of the season.

 I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matthew 25:36

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

Isn't it the spirit of Christmas to give out of love because we have been given to by the Holy Child of the season?

So how can we have this kind of spirit all year? Remember these principles from the Bible:

1. Giving is motivated by love. John3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave...

2. We should never give in order to get. Luke 6:35

3. It is better to give than to get. Acts 20:35

4. There is a reward in giving. Luke 6:38

5. The best giving is when you can't get anything from the other person.

Luke 12:35, Matt 19:21, Mark 10:21

6. Giving is Christ like. (A Christian should be a "little Christ".) Jesus was speaking to his disciples in Matthew 10:8 "...freely ye have received, freely give..."

   
   

   So did you have a "big" Christmas? You can't unwrap Christmas presents all year long. People will soon tire of the list of things that YOU want. The decorations will be put away and the humdrum routine will be started all over again. But you can celebrate Christ all year long by keeping the spirit of giving alive in your heart.

   
   

   A more important question than "Did you have a big Christmas?" is "Are you going to have a big life? Are you going to have big rewards in heaven?" These all come from giving, because it is the only way to be BLESSED, literally HAPPY all year long.

   
   

   "...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it is more blessed to give than to receive. " Acts 20:35

   
   

   

   The tiniest package in the world is a person all wrapped up in themself!