Christmas Giving

First published on Friday, December 12, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel


Over the last several months, the newspapers, TV and internet have been full of stories talking about our economy. Our government has given billions of dollars to banks and financial services companies. Congress is considering giving billions more to shore up the “big 3” American automotive companies. Speculation is strong that more giving will be required to keep our economy from going even further downhill in 2009.

Churches and charitable institutions are also feeling the pinch because as people become increasingly worried about their personal finances, jobs, etc., they don’t give as much or as often. I’ve already received several letters since Thanksgiving from various organizations asking me to consider a year-end gift to allow them to finish the year strong and prepared for 2009. My own church’s stewardship committee is probably going to send out its own letter to our members asking the same thing.

Christmas is indeed a time for giving. But its often seen more as a time for getting. Consider how we even phrase things about our Christmas giving: “What are you gonna get for Uncle John?” Even our giving is phrased as a getting proposition.

There are some people who want to change this aspect of Christmas. This year, I joined the “Advent Conspiracy” movement. Its goals are simple: Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. Here’s how they describe it:

Worship fully: “It starts with Jesus; it ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.”

Spend less: “How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying one less gift this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, but many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: they have been more available to celebrate Christ during the Advent season.”

Give more: “Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found in the mail. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols (or sing Christmas carols badly). Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?”

Love all: “When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked, and the sick. By spending less at Christmas, we have the opportunity to join him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began in just four churches, this simple concept raised more than a half-million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift; one unbelievable present in the name of Christ.”

I offer you an opportunity to challenge your Christmas habits. If Christmas has become dreary instead of joyful, depressing instead of delightful, habitual rather than spontaneous – then join the Advent Conspiracy with me. Do something insignificantly significant for someone else. The “insignificantly” part is usually only from our perspective. The “significant” part is generally from the other’s perspective.

Our general economic principles are based on the idea of scarcity of resources. For one to have means another must be without. Price is based on the demand for what we want in proportion to how badly we want it and how limited its supply. But what if those are false assumptions? What if we could learn to live in an economy based on an attitude of generosity? I think that is what Jesus was driving towards when he spoke about worry:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:26-33)

Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. No government bailout required – sounds like the best Christmas plan ever!