“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Proverbs 11:24-25

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Celebrations and traditions are everywhere and for a few weeks, it feels like many of us have found an endless supply of Christmas spirit to fill our days with. It’s a truly joyous time that we all wish could live on all year.

What makes this time of year such a joy? The decorations and presents and baked goodies are definitely contributing factors! But it might go even deeper than those surface level enjoyments. Christmas is a time of giving, whether you’re handing someone a beautifully wrapped package or you’re having one put into your hands. We borderline obsess with finding the perfect “thing” for everyone on our shopping lists, and boy, do the advertisers know it!

Is this type of Christmas giving true generosity, though? Or is it a foray into materialism and falling for the constant holiday ads and promotions? If you don’t have the means to give every present on your loved ones’ wish lists, does that mean you’ve failed Christmas?

True generosity embodies the verse at the beginning of this blog. Giving freely leads to the enriching of the lives of those you are blessing, and will also leave you feeling equally as blessed. So what does giving freely look like? We can promise you it doesn’t have a price tag and it won’t leave you feeling stressed and drained. Genuine generosity will result in true holiday joy, and this type of joy is one you can embrace after Christmas is done. So come with us this month as we discover what it means to be joyfully generous and how we can reimagine the Christmas season to be something that sets the tone for our lives all year long.