Are You a Lost Shopper? Here is a Biblical Example of How to Give Great Gifts

Buying presents for the holidays can be a huge source of stress for me. Though I have come a long way in my healing from Approval Addiction, I tend to over-think everything when it comes time to give someone something. It doesn’t help that gift-giving isn’t my love language and that makes me have a large lack of intuition when it comes to trying to bless others with a tangible blessing.
 
When going through the story of Jesus birth in Matthew 2:1-12 I lingered on the account of the wise men who came from the East to give the blessed baby gifts. The men traveled a long distance, coming from a far land, to bow down before the Christ and give him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
 
If you know me, you won’t be surprised to learn that rules and guidelines make me feel secure. When I read the story of the wise men my heart found a little peace. I had a Biblical example of how to give presents.
 
If you want to make gifts special for the season, perhaps one of these tips will help you as well.
 

• Give your gift in person. The wise men did not send a messenger to deliver their goods. They came in person so they could hand over their token of esteem using their very hands.
• Make the gift a little about yourself. The wise men brought the gifts from their homeland. I love receiving gifts that remind me of the giver.
• Give a meaningful gift. The spices given to Jesus were those used to embalm bodies. The wise men knew of and believed in Jesus’ purpose on Earth. Don’t you feel touched when someone’s gift has to do with their belief in your purpose?
• Give a useful gift. No doubt Jesus’ parents could use the expensive offerings at that time. They were staying in a stable and would end up traveling to Egypt soon. The wise men helped to provide for the future.
• Lastly, deliver the gift with a personal message. The wise men bowed to the Lord of Lords, proclaiming they knew and believed who he was. A gift with a message, either spoken or written, is extra special.

 
As you go out to do shopping and open your computers to browse, I hope some of these thoughts give you peace. I love how Christmas gives us the opportunity to bless so many around us.
 
Note that wrapping the present and making it look pretty wasn’t listed? However, I like lovely things and I will still be curling ribbons while I watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
 
Merry Christmas!

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
​Matthew 2:11, KJV

This book changed my world. It might change yours too and help you find some peace. 

​What do you think about when shopping for those you hold close in your heart?