A Guide To Buying Christmas Presents
Yes it is that time of year again.
We often ask two questions when purchasing Christmas presents: what does my loved one want, or what do they need? Sometimes we skip both of those questions altogether and we ask, “what’s on sale?”
But gift-giving is a core Christian idea:
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
God gives good and perfect gifts. When we give good gifts, we reflect the image of God. But what kinds of gifts does God give? Not every gift we could give would be considered good, let alone perfect. Consider a word that may help frame the idea of the kinds of gifts that God gives: redemptive.
Redemptive Gifts
When God gives gifts, they are for such purposes like redeeming us from sin (the gift of grace), enabling the church to love and serve one another (spiritual gifts), etc.
In C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series, we see Father Christmas enact the beginning of the end of the long winter. He came to the Pevensie children (minus Edmund) to give them gifts. Peter Pevensie received a sword (Rhindon) and a shield. Susan Pevensie received a bow and arrows and a magical horn. Lucy Pevensie received a magical healing cordial and a small dagger. Some of the other animals received gifts, as well, but in focusing on these three I noticed some themes. These gifts:
Cultivated virtue
Prompted growth
Prepared for the future
Were oriented on Aslan’s (God’s) priorities
Each of the children needed these gifts for specific reasons. Peter needed to overcome his self-doubt and become a leader. Susan needed to stop trying to go home and accept the call to the greater fight. Lucy needed to develop her nurturing nature and play that important role in the battle. We see each gift being used in the last act of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, albeit with growing pains along the way. But each child grew into the gift they received. In this way, each gift was redemptive.
Buying Christmas Presents
We may make the mistake of thinking of such gifts as only a new Bible or devotional. But consider how gifts may inspire to…
Be courageous
Challenge them to think or be creative
Begin to teach them a skill they will need in adulthood
Form their “wants” to be aligned with God’s will
For kids, new ice-skates could be redemptive, a bug catching set could be redemptive, legos are always redemptive (I’m being sarcastic… but also not ;) ). Of course we may also need to get socks or a new dress shirt, that is how life works. But at least call them up with one of our gifts.
Questions to Ask When Purchasing Gifts
Does the gift encourage to disengage and be distracted from God’s world, or be engaged and be used for good?
Does the gift prompt learning and character development?
Does the gift call them up to a greater adventure or challenge?
Does the gift inspire the development of a specific gift or talent?
Can I afford this? (can’t forget this one)
As you purchase gifts this year, consider a heavenly perspective. God desires you to be faithful to the talents and abilities He gave you, and you can prompt your loved ones to the same.
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