In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us not to worry because we have a Heavenly Father who meets our needs. The verses say:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NLT)

There are many in our world who do not know where their next meal will come from. We are called to be gracious and cheerful givers to meet the needs around us. However, for me and my family these verses also remind me to have the right perspective during the holidays.

Most people in our country, the United States of America, do not have to worry about where their next meal will come from. Nevertheless, being a young Christian family is not easy around Christmas time. Our culture spends an enormous amount of money on things like expensive vacations, electronics, the newest fashions, and many other things. The truth is that most of these things are not things that we need but are things that we desire or feel we “must” have in order to stay relevant and “cool”.

I have four children. The oldest is about to turn 12 years old and the youngest is about to turn 6 years old. The older three are boys and the youngest is a girl. We have tremendous wealth in the love we share as a family and in many other ways. I feel very blessed by God even though we have to be very conscious of the money we set aside for Christmas and what gifts we can afford.

These verses in Matthew help me remember that our culture and the world around me will try to influence me, my wife, and my kids and tell us that we need the newest and latest amazing things for Christmas. The truth is, I would love to have more money to spend on gifts at Christmas time. At the same time, I am also reminded of the most lavish gift that has ever been given was when Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that we can know Him personally.

I know that I tend to struggle around Christmas time and feel pressure to overspend and buy loved ones lavish gifts, but the truth is that my kids can recognize a thoughtful gift, even if it doesn’t have a high price tag. My wife started a tradition where we take our kids to a dollar store and they buy their siblings gifts. They love this tradition. They love thinking about what each of their siblings would want to receive. Don’t forget that things like a homemade gift or quality time are amazing gifts too. Don’t be afraid to give modest gifts that have taken thought, time, and energy to create.

Matthew 6:26 says, “And aren’t you far more valuable to Him…” Remember this holiday season that some gifts are valuable because of their price tag while other gifts are valuable because of the relationship between the giver and the receiver. It is up to each of us this holiday season to decide what is truly valuable in this world; things like relationships, effort, and thoughtfulness or just a price tag. God bless you, and merry Christmas!