A Christmas Message from My Dog

I was giving my dog Sully a bath yesterday, just in time for Christmas. He doesn’t really like baths, not unlike other little boys I’ve known.

One of the reasons for the bath was to get him ready to play with Jonathan’s new puppy. Sully may not like baths, but he loves puppies. All of a sudden I found myself saying, “Sully, if you knew why I was giving you this bath, you would be so happy.” But Sully continued to sit sadly in passive aggressive resistance. Oblivious to the future plans I had for him.

I was amazed at my next thought. “If only I could become a dog for a few minutes, I could explain to Sully what he has to look forward to.”

Unknowingly I had stumbled upon the principle underlying the old parable of the birds - a story used to explain the incarnational aspect of Christmas.

God came to earth as a man. Jesus walked as we walk. He spoke our language. All so that we might understand the love of God. The future God prefers for us. God’s invitation. God’s call to partnership in His mission.

God spoke this Christmas message to me through a Labrador Retriever. How much more can God speak through you and me…!?

Top 5 Reasons for Giving at Christmas

There are all kinds of motivations for giving or providing acts of service directed toward hurting and lost people during December. Some motivations are not as good as others. Here are some motivations I believe are in line with biblical teaching and the true meaning of Christmas:

5 -  To acknowledge that my primary family is the family of God. Giving to a Christian cause or mission reminds me and my family that Christmas is about Jesus, His glory and His mission. It is not primarily about my family and friends (Lk. 2:46 and Mt. 22:37).

4 -  To illustrate that Christmas is about eternity. I am constantly tempted to be materialistic. In giving sacrificially I demonstrate my belief that this world is not my home. Everything I see is temporary – including our Christmas tree and the gifts under it. Three things are eternal: God, the glory of heaven and the mass of people who have joined God’s eternal family (Jn. 14:1-3; Rev. 21:1-7).

3 -  To demonstrate the servant love of Jesus by providing some relief to the physical pain or life struggles of people. God calls for this type love in places like James 2, a passage that explains authentic “religion” as belief in God that moves us to serve the poor and hurting.

2 -  To communicate the love of God that I have experienced the love of God with people who have not yet heard the message of Christmas. Motivated by a desire to honor God, the shepherds (Lk. 2) told others about the coming of God’s Messiah.

1 -  To celebrate the birth, life and ministry of the Savior of the world. Motivated by a desire to honor and encounter God, the wise men (Mt. 2) went to great lengths to bring precious gifts to the Messiah.

What are some other good and biblical reasons for giving during December… or any other time?

Other related posts –
Top 6 Not-so-Good Reasons to Give
Remember the Most Poor
How to Give Like a Wise Man

Top 6 Not-so-Good Reasons to Give at Christmas

Many, if not most, Christian families offer donations or provide some act of service directed toward poor or disadvantaged people during December. I am no one’s judge, but I wonder about the various motivations possibly behind some of this Christmas “generosity.” See if you recognize any of these motivations. I have heard or felt all of these.

#6 – I want to force my spoiled kids to acknowledge how much they have so they will stop asking for so much and give me more thanks.

#5 – My family has always done something for “poor people” at Christmas.

#4 –  It seems that everybody in our group (office, Sunday School class, small group, Bible study, etc.) are doing something for poor people. Let’s do what the “Jones” family is doing.

#3 –  I am ashamed and feel a bit guilty about how blessed (rich) I am.

#2 –  Giving increases my chance of going to heaven.

#1 –  I will receive greater rewards in heaven.

What are some better and more biblical reasons for giving during December… or any other time?

See my recommendation for the Top 5 Good Reasons to Give.

Other related posts –
Remembering the Most Poor
How to Give Like a Wise Man

Remembering the Most Poor at Christmas

The biblical mandate clearly directs believers to demonstrate God’s love by serving, blessing and empowering people that have physical needs such as hunger, housing, medical care, etc.

But the holistic mandate of Jesus is equally clear about our calling to proclaim God’s love. The Good News was shouted by angels, shepherds and wise men two thousand years ago.

Mother Teresa once stated that the poorest of the poor are not in the streets of Calcutta, but in the suburbs of America.

Perhaps the most “poor” are not those lacking shelter or healthcare or adequate food or clean water or appropriate clothing.

But rather those who have not heard about the miracle in Bethlehem, and those who have heard but have not allowed Christ to be born in their hearts by faith.

Why is it that I hear little about families taking action to proclaim the Gospel to these “poor” during the Christmas season?

The Power of a Story

Everyone loves a good story.

I am on the way to a wedding in Sewanee, TN. Someday I will ask Lane, “So tell me your story. How did you and Bill fall in love…?” She will blush, smile widely as precious memories flood her mind, and then she will tell her love story. Powerful.

Part of my energy is invested in leadership coaching through Awake Consulting. Recently I asked a client and friend to write his story – “What were you like as a leader in the past, and how did you get to this point?” He had never connected the dots. This new perspective gave him and his team encouragement. The changes in his leadership style and effectiveness over the past 12 months are radical. He loved telling his story.

Men and women gather in a borrowed room, and someone begins with, “Hi. My name is Bob.” Within moments, people are sharing about their real and difficult struggles, as well as victories. In this confidential and compassionate circle, people struggling with addiction or struggling with an addict meet for accountability and encouragement. One reason this recovery model is so helpful is the power of storytelling.  

Over the past 25 years I have taken over 50 teams of volunteers into various cultures around the world in order to share and receive the love of Christ. Every person that has traveled with me has been asked to do things in preparation for the journey. But no preparation has been more important than the writing of their faith story. It is not easy to write briefly and in way that “works” in a setting far different than the witness’s home environment.

Storytelling is powerful in both directions. I am challenged and amazed as I carefully think through my own journey AND the listener catches a glimpse of how another human has walked this earthly journey. Hearing someone’s story is a blessed gift.

Prepare and tell your stories this week. Write, blog, record, whatever….

Ask someone about their story. Listen carefully, with gracious ears ready to learn from a fellow-traveler.

And then there is THE Story. Have you heard the story of God? How is your story a part of His Story?