5 Ways to Practice Generosity This Christmas

1. Practice Simplicity to Bless Others

During the Christmas season, people are bombarded with the message that they must buy items to experience a joyful holiday. No material presents equals no Christmas in the modern world. Increasingly, the focus is on receiving or gifting only to receive presents in return.  

Yet, Jesus told us it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). This was demonstrated when He gave His life to save us and set us free from sin and death. Christmas is about the ultimate gift – the Savior coming into the world. As Isaiah 9:6, a Messianic prophecy about Jesus’ birth, says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (NIV, emphasis added).  

Christ came and gave us eternal life. How, then, can we allow our celebrations of His coming to be overcrowded with commercialism? 

To push against the culture’s obsession with the accumulation of items and focus instead on generosity, we can practice simplicity. To not be swept away by the temptation of buying more items. We can still purchase gifts for loved ones to enjoy, but do so from a place of simplicity. A few thoughtful gifts are worth far more than a pile of items they will toss aside in a few weeks. Then, with less pressure to overspend, we will have more to bless those in need.  

We could, for example, use the money to purchase an item on a ministry’s gift catalog, to feed hungry families, or to help fund a child in another country to go to school. Living simply can enable us to spread the love of Christ more freely and extravagantly to others.     

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2. Give Your Time by Serving Others

We often think of generosity in terms of money. This is certainly an important aspect of being generous, but it can also involve how we use our time and other resources. We go against our culture’s emphasis on busyness by lovingly and freely giving our time away to serve others.  

Our Lord modeled the heart of servanthood throughout His earthly ministry. He never overlooked those who were hurting but took the time to notice and love them. He willingly gave of Himself by eating with outcasts and “sinners” (Mark 2:16). There was never a time when He was too busy to extend love and healing to those around Him.  

Recognizing the way Christ served and loved others helps us see that serving others during Christmas is not about appearing spiritual or religious – as it is, Jesus was called “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19, NIV). Serving others is about Jesus’ love. We have been wonderfully blessed by His love and want to spread it to others.  

Depending on who we are and where we live, our service may look different. We may volunteer at an inner-city soup kitchen or knit blankets to give to the homeless. Perhaps we will help others gain job skills to combat poverty, volunteer to teach English to refugees, or mentor youth from low-income families. Whatever we do, our goal should be to share the love of Christ with others. What could be a better gift than that?  

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3. Donate to Others as a Present

Sometimes it can seem as if the people we buy presents for already have a great deal of things. We may wonder if we can give them anything they do not already have or are able to obtain for themselves. Also, most of us in America already have what we need, which is more than what others in our country or those in different places in the world can say. Thus, at Christmas this year, we may want to give something different – a gift that encourages and multiplies generosity.  

Such a gift could be a card that indicates a donation was made on their behalf. Numerous ministries, such as Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion International, Bright Hope, International Justice Mission, and others, offer this option and can inspire those around us to give. The recipient is blessed, as are those who the ministry serves. 

Another option is to purchase charity gift cards as Christmas presents so that individuals can choose the organization that receives the donation. Many of our friends and family will enjoy this personalization. These cards are also easy to purchase through places like TisBest, which offers physical cards and e-cards with a variety of designs.  

And if we want to do something extra, we could likewise ask for others to give on our behalf to a specific ministry or Christian nonprofit in lieu of a physical present. The gift of generosity is one that can inspire and bless long after the holiday season.     

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4. Start or Participate in a Clothing or Food Drive  

Not everyone has access to food or proper clothing. Although we might be aware of this problem and wish our neighbors well, Scripture tells us we must do something. As James 2:15-16 says, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (NIV). We must not love in word only, but “with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18, NIV).  

One way to help those who are struggling with hunger and insufficient clothing this Christmas is to start a food or clothing drive at our church. We could encourage other members to donate gently used coats, hats, and scarves as well as other articles of clothing. Or we could work with a local food pantry to find out what foods are needed most and together as a church donate these items.  

Connecting with local families who are experiencing financial difficulties is also an opportunity for blessing others. As a church, we could give them a Christmas dinner and groceries to last a week. This could look like collecting holiday-centered food items like a turkey, chicken, or ham along with sides such as canned green beans and sweet potatoes. But also including regular staples for meals.  

As we start food and clothing drives, we should remember Jesus’ words to treat others as we would want to be treated (Luke 6:31). What items would we appreciate receiving if we could not afford food? How can we lovingly bless others with nourishing, wholesome food that also tastes good? Would we want to receive a tattered pair of shoes or a broken jacket? The more we focus on seeking the good of others and blessing them generously, the more we will display the love of Christ.  

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5. Include Those Who Are Overlooked in Your Celebrations

For many people, Christmas is a day of celebration – a gathering of family around the tree, a delicious meal shared with loved ones, and the exchange of gifts. If we have regularly experienced these celebrations, then we can easily take them for granted. However, some people are not able to visit family or friends on Christmas. They are left to observe the holiday alone.  

These people can be found in nursing homes, hospitals, and our neighborhoods. Maybe there is an elderly individual who lives down the street who does not receive regular visitors. Or we notice the lonely person at the care home when we visit aging parents. Perhaps another student at our college is unable to return home for the holidays and is grieving the loss of a parent. These are all people we can extend care toward by including them in our Christmas celebrations. 

Our families and friends often return the favor of being invited to our celebrations, bringing gifts, or promising to invite us the next year. However, the overlooked individuals give us the honor of extending God’s love to others, for which we will be blessed (Luke 14:12-14). Our festivities will be much brighter when we know that someone who feels lonely is included, the downhearted is given hope, and others know they are loved.     

Let us open our hearts and hands this Christmas to show others that there is light in our dark world and that they are not alone or forgotten.    

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This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.