Christmas Gifts

As of this writing, there are only 17 shopping days left until Christmas morning. Years ago, before I got married, I used to do all my shopping on Christmas Eve, which was something my dad would do from time to time when we were growing up. It was exciting to run through the mall on Christmas Eve trying to buy the best of whatever was left.

Just about everybody gives and receives gifts during this season. Some say that it is a tradition that goes all the way back to the wise men who gave gifts to Jesus. Maybe. But we believe that Christmas itself is really about the gift that God gave the world when He gave His one and only Son for us. At this time of year, our hearts shout with the Apostle Paul, "Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15) So, in some ways, our giving of gifts is a natural response to the gift of Jesus, as well as His gracious act of self-giving when He laid aside His glory and was born into the human race.

So, it is good for us to give gifts, especially when the foundation of this giving is to reflect the grace and glory of Christ and to do so with a heart of worship and gratitude. With that in mind, knowing that you have probably already bought all your Christmas gifts, let me suggest a couple of gifts you might consider giving this year.

1. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Each year Southern Baptist churches take up a voluntary offering to support our international missionaries who serve all over the globe. Every penny given to this offering goes to the needs of the missionaries on the field. But there are other ways to give towards the spread of the gospel. There are various gospel and mission projects that you can support. Our family usually gives towards a few of these in honor of a family member. Then when we get together we simply give them a card that tells them that a gift in their honor has been given to fund the spread of the gospel. Or you can give directly to humanitarian needs as a part of your mission giving.

2. Local mission partners. There are several organizations that are doing necessary and important ministry to serve the needs of community. I would encourage you to consider making a financial gift or donation to Pregnancy Care Center of Denver, NC. You may consider doing more than just giving money...you could become a volunteer! You might also consider making a gift to the DBC Mission Scholarship fund to help many people go on a mission trip next year!

3. Other missionaries and church planters. There have been several people that have either been sent out from our church, or who we have gotten to know over the years, who have given their life to living on mission, planting churches, and making a great sacrifice for the cause of the gospel. You might want to consider becoming a prayer/financial partner with them! If you need information on specific individuals or church plants, leave me a comment and I will connect with you.

4. The ESV Reader's Bible. This is a fantastic Bible! I purchased it a little while back and it has become a favorite for me. It is the Bible written as a book. There are no chapters or verses, which make it not only easy to read, but engaging as well.

5. Behold the Lamb. This is hands down my favorite Christmas album. It tells the Christmas story from the Passover all the way through the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.

6. Books to grow you in the gospel. I am a firm believer that we need to read more, and to read good, soul encouraging, gospel saturated, mind engaging books. If you were thinking about getting a book for someone, here is a short list of some I recommend: Knowing God (J.I. Packer); Making Sense of God (Timothy Keller); The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert (Rosaria Butterfield); Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel (Russell Moore); John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace (Jonathon Aitken); Seeking Jesus, Finding Allah (Nabeel Qureshi); The Insanity of God (Nik Ripken); The Enemy Within (Kris Lundgaard); and Joseph and the Gospel of Many Colors (Voddie Baucham).

7. A Good Devotional. This is always a good gift to give at Christmas time. I have been using New Morning Mercies and it has been a good one. I also read through some of The Song of Jesus, which I would also recommend.

8. A passport. Of course, this doesn't sound like an exciting gift...but it could be a life-changing one! In fact, it would be far greater to give your kid a passport this Christmas and begin to pray with them about going on an overseas mission trip, than giving them something that will break in 2 hours, or that they will lose interest in by the end of the day. A passport would make a great stocking stuffer!

Well, there's my list. Hope it is helpful to you if you are still looking for gifts. If not, save it for next year. Happy shopping!