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?

Happy Birthday… Really

Part of our family tradition on Christmas Day involves singing Happy Birthday to You and blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. We do this first thing in the morning. Before the explosion of presents, noise and food, we add one more reminder of the day’s significance.

At best, our cake and song may help us remember the birth of Jesus. But is that all there is to celebrating this special birthday? What about the life of Jesus? A friend and student of mine at Asbury Seminary wrote these insightful words in 2000:

In celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus, it has made me think about how we celebrate birthdays in general.  At Christmas we always seem to focus on Christ’s birth, and of course there is good reason.  But usually when we celebrate birthdays of those close to us we don’t go back and remember the person’s birth (unless we’re their parent!).  When I think about celebrating someone’s birthday, I usually am celebrating the fact that this person is who they are, that they are alive and that they are in my life.  I may celebrate what has been going on in our shared life since their last birthday.  I may not think about this consciously, but that is what I am doing when I celebrate a birthday with someone.  I think that is probably what most of us do. 

Why not do the same thing with Jesus on his birthday? Why not celebrate what has been going on in our shared life with him since his last birthday? How have I grown this past year because he walked the earth, and now shares his life with me? (Melynne Rust)

Yes, Jesus was born – humbling himself to take on the pain and limitations of being “human” (Phil 2:6-8). On Saturday, you and I celebrated The Birth.

Today would be a good time to contemplate and celebrate your relationship with the Birthday Boy. To use Melynne’s concept -

• Celebrate who Jesus is.
• Celebrate that he is alive and that we are in his eternal family.
• Contemplate how your life has been impacted and transformed by Jesus since his last birthday celebration.

Remember, Jesus didn’t come to just bless and transform you and me. He came to bless and transform the world for the greater glory of God… and he has chosen to involve us in this mission. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.