Do you want to spread Christmas cheer?
Outside of cheering for a sports team, at Christmas time we use the word ‘Cheer’ more often than any other time. We love spreading Christmas cheer!
Growing up my family celebrated Christmas in two ways.
First, even though we had no chimney (?), we celebrated with presents under the tree delivered by a white-haired man in a red suit on a magical sleigh led by flying reindeer. I wrote Santa letters and tried really hard to be on the nice list.
I couldn’t wait till the Christmas classics would be on TV! Then when I was in college, the movie Elf came out and he taught us the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
We also celebrated Christmas with plays and crafts and stories at church, all centered around the biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth.
I never struggled with the concept of Santa being more of a focus than Jesus. I think that’s mostly because throughout the rest of the year we continued to learn about Jesus. He was reinforced in our home and at church. Santa doesn’t have a church (although I’d be interested in visiting it if he did), so that was easy for me.
How do we spread Christmas cheer Jesus style? Is singing louder still the answer? I don’t think so. In 2 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul dedicates 9 verses to teach us how to become a cheerful giver.
This is actually what’s behind the Cheerful Money concept.
Verse 7 in particular is one we quote often at my church as a reason for using giving boxes in place of passing an offering plate. It says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
I think this is about giving money, but is also about giving time and talent to the work of Christ. I would encourage you this December, as you consider how to give in these three areas to do so prayerfully and cheerfully.
Generosity is the best way to spread Christmas cheer.
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Do you have any Christmas time generosity stories you’d like to share? I’d love to hear about them.
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