The Advent Season is in full swing, and if you are like most of us, you are in the midst of pre-Christmas chaos.
There are gifts to purchase, homes to decorate, parties to attend, and an assortment of last-minute details to oversee – all in order to ensure that Christmas will be perfect.
As stewards, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday planning. Constantly seeing ads for the latest must-have items, and seeing every store decorated to the max is enough to keep our heads spinning.
What better time to step back and remind ourselves what exactly we are preparing for this Christmas: the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Putting everything in perspective helps us overcome the chaos. More importantly, it puts us in the right frame of mind for what truly matters most.
This year, consider giving the gift of stewardship. You may not be able to tie a ribbon around it, but it doesn’t make it less of a gift.
Giving the gift of stewardship means spending extra time in prayer reflecting on the birth of Jesus, and thanking Him for coming into this world to save us. It also means spending time with our friends and family – even if it drives us a little crazy. It also means sharing our time with those in need of our talents, and it helps us focus on others. Finally, it reminds us that we need to share our treasure – our first fruits – with God. Think of it as a birthday gift to Jesus given in thanksgiving for the tremendous blessings we receive from God each day.
Embracing stewardship during Advent and throughout the Christmas season will make memories to last a lifetime and help teach those around you the true meaning of the season.
