I was at a gymnasium recently where I saw a Christmas tree with angel cutouts placed on gifts beneath the tree. Curious as to what they were all about, I walked over to see what was written on the images of the angels and was emotionally touched. Each piece of paper had the age of a child and a special request. The names and requests of the children had been provided by the Salvation Army. The first gift I noticed was a very lovely bicycle, and so I read the card. The name was given and then the request: a girl’s bike. Tears came to my eyes as I thought about the unknown donor who gave generously to an unknown twelve year old child to make this Christmas very special. I remembered the words of the Lord who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Christ not only spoke those wonderful words but modeled them as well. The Bible says that while we were yet sinners Christ died in order to give those of us who believe in Him as Lord and Savior the gift of eternal life.

As you consider your Christmas gifts remember the words of Christ and His example. Also, consider the advice of other wise saints. Martin Luther said, "I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God's hands I still possess." C. S. Lewis observed, "I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare." That is good counsel. Place your resources into the hands of God and let the Holy Spirit direct you in your giving. Then, give more than you can spare.

Finally, give cheerfully. A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church "Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did." While we might smile at the story, it does have the ring of truth and so we must again remember, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."