“But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round…as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.” – Charles Dickens.
Every December, the air grows thick with reminders of giving—bells ringing outside stores, cards asking for donations, and ads urging us to remember those in need. It’s easy to feel that generosity is a seasonal expectation, a box to check before January arrives. But as followers of Christ, generosity is not just a December duty; it’s a reflection of our understanding of who God is and what He has done for us.
But that doesn’t change the fact that at its core, Christmas is the story of divine generosity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” (John 3:16). The entire Christmas narrative flows from that one word—gave. God gave His Son, Mary gave her trust, Joseph gave his obedience, the shepherds gave their witness, and the wise men gave their treasures. Every act of giving in the story of Christmas is a mirror of God’s heart.
So when we ask, “Should we try to be a little more generous at Christmas?” the real question is, “How can we reflect the generosity of God more clearly?” Generosity isn’t measured by the size of a gift or the number of zeros on a check—the love and sacrifice behind it are the actual measure. It’s about giving from the heart, even when no one notices, even when there’s no return.
The Christmas season can pull us toward comfort and self-focus: shopping lists, travel plans, and family gatherings. But if we pause and look beyond our circles, we’ll see that the world is full of silent need—lonely hearts, empty tables, and families praying for hope. Our generosity, whether it’s financial or simply the gift of time and compassion, becomes a way for God’s light to enter those dark places.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” That’s what makes Christmas giving sacred—it’s cheerful, voluntary, born out of gratitude, not guilt.
When we choose generosity at Christmas, we’re not just helping others; we’re declaring something about our faith. We’re saying we believe in a God who gives freely. We’re saying we’ve received grace that we could never repay. We’re saying the light of Christ still shines through open hands and open hearts.
So yes—let’s be a little more generous this Christmas. Let’s give more patience to our family, more kindness to strangers, more encouragement to the weary, more resources to those who have little. Let’s make giving a form of worship, not an obligation.
Because when we give, we echo the heartbeat of Christmas—the generous love of a God who gave everything for us.
Discussion Questions:
- What does God’s generosity at Christmas teach you about how to give to others?
- How can you practice generosity that goes beyond money—through your time, words, or presence?