Three Gifts We Can Give Others For Christmas

Three Gifts We Can Give Others For Christmas is a simple thought Lectionary reflection from Micah 6:6-7 about three gifts we can give others: respect, loyalty, and humility.

December 24, 2015 Year C

Micah 6:6-8

Everyone is probably thinking about the Christmas gifts they are going to give or receive. Some of you have probably not finished shopping for Christmas – you better hurry. 

But some are thinking: I can’t give gifts to everyone on my Christmas list. I just don’t have the money to buy everyone a gift for Christmas. So that is a dilemma everyone has.

The wise men gave the baby Jesus three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were really expensive gifts that showed other people that Jesus was highly valued. They came to worship Jesus with these gifts. But we don’t have to give such expensive gifts to Jesus. We don’t need to worship God and give Him all kinds of animal sacrifices (Micah 6:6-7).

In this passage, Micah lists three gifts we can give to everyone – people whom God highly values. These are gifts we can direct both outward and upward. These three good gifts are precious and show how much we care for other people and in turn, God. Unlike the presents under your tree this evening, they don’t cost a penny. What are these gifts?

THREE GOOD GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE OTHERS FOR CHRISTMAS

You can give the gift of (Micah 6:8):

1. Respect – “act justly”

To act justly is to give other people respect. Outward, we show respect with other people. You may disagree with them. You may even hate them, but you can be respectful. You be civil with others – especially with those you disagree with. You can treat people with dignity. Don’t rob them. Don’t degrade them. Don’t insult them. Treat them with respect. Respect is something that you can upward to God as well. When you show respect to God and His laws for example, it reveals that you realize God is larger than you in life.

2. Loyalty – “love faithfulness”

You can give another person the gift of trust, your trust. To love faithfulness is about loyalty. Giving loyalty outward to other people is a precious gift. It is so easy in today’s world to abandon someone. We drop a relationship, or a responsibility. Some are looking for more money, or better conditions. Sometimes they opportunities come. But many times, God teaches us to be loyal. We learn a valuable lesson when we are committed to a job, to a family, to a church. This is a gift that other people value when you give it. We can lift this gift upward to God. When we do, it tells God how much we love Him by our loyalty. The gift is one you can give to God for what He has done for you.

3. Humility – “walk humbly with your God”

As a person shares this gift outwardly to others, we learn a special lesson ourselves. A humble person plays second fiddle, learns to be supportive, and accepts that they may not get to shine in the spotlight all of the time. This is a gift husbands can give their wives, and wives can give their husbands. It is a gift that one can give to others when conflict stirs its ugly head. It is a gift that one can give away when the good things at work are rewarded. It is a gift that we can share when we share our faith. Humility toward others speaks volumes about my submission to God.

God wants us learn humility. God never promised that you would get everything in life. He just promised that He would be there with you. With God, life can be abundantly rich. In other words, for your life to be full and exciting, you have to let God lead you.

Three good gifts – respect, loyalty, and humility. Let us enjoy the gifts we receive. At the same time, let’s be generous this Christmas season in sharing these gifts with others.

Prayer: God, thank You for the free gift of Your Son at Christmas. Help me as I give these gifts of respect, loyalty, and humility with others.