Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
While the practice of giving gifts to one another during Christmas doesn’t have a clear origin, the practice is stems from the gifts that the wise men offered to Jesus after his birth.
Shortly after Jesus was born some men from the East traveled hundreds of miles to celebrate the birth of the king of the Jews. These wise men brought gifts that were fit for a king – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They bowed down and worshipped Jesus because the King had been born.
Giving gifts today can quickly become about greed, self-centeredness, and materialism – but that doesn’t have to be the message of gift giving. The wise men gave gifts to express honor and worth to Jesus who was born as the king. Giving gifts is one way to express love, honor, and gratitude to the people who are in our lives.
[Read: Why Do We Sing Christmas Carols?]
Christmas is not about giving a ton of gifts but receiving the gift of Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate gift to humanity. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The gift of God’s son is the reason for Christmas. We exchange gifts and practice selfless giving during Christmas because Jesus selflessly gave His life as an offering for humanity.
Live It:
- How can you focus on the gift of Jesus’ love and salvation this Christmas?
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
