Let’s face it, many of us have experienced how the thrill of a gift can fade fast. Some items seem to last longer, but many lose their luster and appeal fairly quickly. Expectations of what pleasure and satisfaction a gift can bring are often highly overrated.
Commonly, gifts just don’t measure up to what they’ve promised in their promotions. They fall short of their hyped-up television commercials, which oversell most items, promising human satisfaction beyond what a product can offer.
So this Christmas, consider giving a more lasting gift, one that reflects our faith in Jesus Christ. If friends and family know we’re Christians, they won’t be surprised when we share our faith with them through a gift.
In fact, those who know us may wonder why we aren’t mentioning Jesus or expressing His influence in our lives. As Christians, isn’t Christmas the perfect time to do so, especially considering what this season is all about?
Biblically, we’re encouraged to let others know about Jesus. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
This year, why not consider giving gifts that celebrate the greatest gift ever given to the world? “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
A longtime non-Christian friend mentioned how some of the gifts we have given them throughout the years often cause her to stop and look at them, touching her heart and bringing to mind our friendship.
Most of these gifts have a Christian theme attached, so my heart knows it’s God working through His word to speak and minister to them in ways that draw them to Himself.
Rather than just giving gifts, we can choose to give ones that help plant, water, and lead others to Christ. As 1 Corinthians 3:8 reminds us, “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.”
Even though our friends may think the gifts are a reminder of us, we know it is God at work through our gifts.
Although many Christians believe tracks sharing the Gospel are old-fashioned and outdated, there are just too many stories of individuals who have found Christ as their Savior through reading a track.
Christian bookstores still sell them in bulk, and especially for those too shy to share their faith directly through speaking, it’s a way of clearly and easily sharing God’s life-saving truth with others.
Some believers leave them along with a generous tip for their servers. Others leave ones on store counters or in public restrooms. Because we don’t know all the ways God can speak to the heart through a track, we can ask Him where and when to leave them, trusting it will be the right place at the right time to make a life-transforming difference in someone’s life.
As well, why not tuck them into our Christmas cards? There isn’t a more perfect gift to give this Christmas than sharing God’s gift of Jesus.
Likewise, consider giving a Bible to someone who doesn’t know Christ. God can work through its presence in their home, even if they leave it in the box for months.
Like tracks, there are countless stories of those who one day found themselves in distress and looking for direction, who remembered a Bible lying on their coffee table or packed away in their closet.
The Gideons International, a Christian non-denominational organization, has faithfully served God since 1899 by placing copies of the Bible and New Testament in hotel rooms, hospitals, penal institutions, schools, and other locations, leading many a weary individual to turn to God’s Word in times of deepest needs.
Because Jesus spoke in parables, there is value in giving Christmas DVDs that share the true Christmas story. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable” (Matthew 13:34).
Some films can be deeply impacting in a way that a sermon, teaching, or conversation may fall flat or not be received by others.
As well, consider giving a Christmas DVD for the whole family to watch. Or, if they have small children, give one specially made for kids, knowing the whole family will probably hear some of the story as it plays, too.
D. James Kennedy Ministry has produced a special DVD titled What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?, sharing the amazing impact Jesus has made on earth.
Often, along with a cozy gift for friends, it’s easy to include a Christian biography or devotional, especially for friends who aren’t Christians. In doing so, be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to lead in the book selection because what may speak to us in a life-changing way may not influence or touch their heart at all.
Like Proverbs 3:5 urges, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith produces animated DVDs sharing the testimonies of Christians who dedicated their lives to serving God and spreading the Gospel around the world.
Revelation 12:11 explains the power of a believer’s testimony: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
A person’s personal testimony has the power to be transforming in others’ lives. As well, short devotionals are a way of offering God’s truth in brief, digestible ways for those who may not be open to longer and more in-depth content.
Because God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), never returning void (Isaiah 55:11), He can minister and speak through a beautifully framed Scripture.
Isaiah 55:10-11 explains, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
We’re often so familiar with God’s Word that sometimes we may underestimate the power of it, of how its written presence in the home of a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker may be just what God speaks through to lead them to Himself.
Consider a beautiful cross necklace, earrings, bracelet, or other faith-inspiring jewelry for a friend or loved one. Ask God for His leading, when to do so and to whom, relying on the Holy Spirit to help you.
If you are not sure how it will be received, consider adding it to another thoughtful gift. Many people, even some non-Christians, find comfort in wearing jewelry designed with a deeper meaning.
Nowadays, there are plenty of Christian-themed games, books, activity books, puzzles, and more for kids. Consider adding one as a gift, like a Bible Storybook or kid’s Bible.
There are so many stories of people who were given a meaningful gift as a child that planted God’s Word into their lives and led them to Christ.
It’s wise to be open to the power of a Spirit-led gift this Christmas. Proverbs 18:16 reminds us, “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”
Where our words may fall short or be forgotten, God’s Word, presented in many formats, never fails. Luke 1:37 assures us, “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/RonTech2000
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.