The Selflessness of Christmas

A few weeks ago, Leah and I were talking to the boys about what they wanted to get for different members of the family for Christmas. We told them to think about the person that they were buying for and what they liked and pick out a present that that person would like rather than getting them something the boys would like. Here’s a few things they came up with.

I asked Anthony, “What does Grandma like?” “Grits!” came the quick reply. And he is right, my mom loves grits, eats them for breakfast almost every morning. So, Anthony got her a tub of grits that is wrapped and under the tree right now.

 

I asked Jack, “What does Mimi like?” “Books!” Jack said! And he’s right, Leah’s mom loves to read – but Jack wasn’t done. “And she likes it when I color for her!” So, Jack decided to color a picture of a book for his Mimi. 

 

This is what I love about Christmas! Thinking about another person and what they like and getting excited by the idea of doing something for them. We call this selflessness and we Christians do this gift thing around Christmas time in order to emulate what God did for us when He sent us His Son – the greatest gift ever given. 

 

God looked down on us and knew the best gift to give us and, at great cost to Himself He gave it.

 

I think that part of why, for many people, Christmas is a wonderous time of year is not because of receiving gifts or time off but rather because they exercise the life-giving discipline of true selflessness. 

 

I believe that we were meant to be selfless, that we are at our best and feel our best when we are thinking of others. When, in the words of Paul, we “consider others more important than ourselves.” Like the sun is meant to shine light and warmth outward we are meant to be focused on and concerned with other people.

 

Along the same line, I believe that we are at our worst when we are selfish. Not just in the sense of mistreating other people – but in the sense of our well-being. We get down, we get discouraged, we become angry and demanding when we are thinking of ourselves. Selfish thinking is like a clog in a hose – the water keeps coming but can’t go anyway and so the pressure builds up until it bursts. If you are struggling right now, prayerfully examine your heart, are you being selfish? Repent of and release that selfishness and, I’d wager, you’ll find relief.

 

Selflessness is like a hose too – but one that works well – it lets the water flow through and out to others instead of keeping everything to itself. 

 

In 1 Peter 3:14 the apostle quotes an Old Testament scripture, "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." Here he is specifically encouraging believers not to fear persecution. However, I like what he says, “Don’t fear what they fear.” When you entrust your soul to Christ, when you follow Peters advice in 1 Peter 5:7 and “cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you.” Then your emotions and your focus are freed up to look toward others. Then you begin to not be afraid of what selfish people are afraid of. And guess what happens?

 

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

 

People what to know where you hope comes from.

 

Christmas is a great time to talk about selflessness – but please remember this is the way we are supposed to be all the time. 

 

I want to be honest with you, I, myself, tend to be selfish most of the time and occasionally selfless. It ought to be the other way around. 

 

The secret to happiness, to fearlessness, to joy and peace all year around is to be selfless in the name of Christ. To always be thinking of other people and what is best for them instead of just around Christmas.

 

This is exactly what Jesus did for you. 

 

2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”

 

Let’s be like Jesus this Christmas season. And all year around.

 

Love you church.