Scripture: James 1:17

Key Words: giving, gifts, grace

Big Idea:  We can give because the Father has given to us.

What are some traditions that you have on Christmas Morning? What are some memories that you have of Christmas past?

Growing up, the Christmas season was full of traditions in our family. Some of my favorite memories are of the traditions we enjoyed on Christmas morning. My sister and I were not allowed to see the tree until my dad had the lights on and a fire going in the fireplace.  We could hardly wait until he gave the all-clear!  Brimming with excitement, we would bound into the living room, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the stockings against the fireplace and the bright colored packages stacked under the tree.

Before we could open the gifts, we had one tradition that never changed.  Together with my mom and dad we would gather on our couch and listen as my dad read from the Bible.  Of course, he would always turn to Luke 2 and read the Christmas story.  We would listen to the familiar words and try our best to hold in our excitement.  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…

After Luke 2 my dad would always turn to Matthew 7. Reading a portion of the Sermon on the Mount may seem an odd choice for Christmas morning, but my father’s tradition of reading this passage has stuck with me more than any other. It is one of the traditions that we keep with our own children.

Read Matthew 7:11. Now look at your tree if you have gifts underneath, or close your eyes and think of gifts that you have received in the past.  Take a minute to reflect on some of your favorite gifts.  Now, all those gifts are but a small reflection of the gifts that our heavenly Father has given to us!  My dad read from Matthew 7 because he wanted to teach us that he and my mom gave to us on Christmas because they loved us — but their love and gifts were but a reflection of the love and gifts we receive from our Heavenly Father. They gave to us to point us to the greatest gift giver of all — God himself.

 Name some gifts that God has given you.  (Look around at creation, your family, your friends, etc.)

 This God who is the Creator of all these good gifts, gives you something even greater.  He has given us himself.  He came to earth and walked among us so that we could have life, so that we could have a relationship with Him!  Did you know the gift of a relationship with God is a gift we get to open every day?! Every day can be like Christmas morning for a Christian! Every day we get to wake up and unwrap a new day to know and walk with our Lord!