During this hectic holiday season, when our Western culture focuses so much on “getting loot,” it’s important to take the time to teach our children about giving.

Though the date of December 25th was one chosen arbitrarily to celebrate the birth of Christ, we do know that Christ was real, that He did live, and that He was the greatest gift mankind has ever received from a kind and benevolent Father.

So, during a time when children are revved up and often thinking about “what’s in it for me?” based on cues from the adults in their lives, let’s set aside some time to cultivate the giving spirit in our children.

My oldest son wants to go through the toys he has outgrown, and give a bunch of these “well loved” toys to his new brother and sister. They all love trains, and he has so much track and so many trains (wooden, plastic, metal … you name it!) that he can easily spare to be very, very generous! But, it’s the fact that he has voluntarily chosen to give to his brother and sister that really matters. And, that he chose to give something personal and close to him, spoke volumes to me about his love for his brother and sister.

Our Heavenly Father did something similar, many centuries ago. He gave the very best that He had, and gave Him to us in an act of selfless love.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

So, over these next few days, while the world’s attention is focused on Jesus, take some time out to talk to your child about the blessed peace that comes from giving gifts, not getting them:

“ … And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

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