It’s that time of year. We’re emersed with the visual images of the season. Our homes and neighborhoods, stores and malls are decorated with trees, lights, and ornaments creating the atmosphere for the festivities to follow. Soon we’ll gather to watch the football games. Movies like Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Bells of St. Mary, and White Christmas remind us of the season and our potential and possibilities. The gifts beneath the tree are intended to remind us not only of the reason for the season, but more importantly, the purpose of the season. In Why Do We Give Gifts at Christmas?, contributing editor Jack Ashcraft, reminds us that:
“Our motivation for giving gifts should be to do so in honor of the birth of our Savior, who gave us the most precious gift of all — salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). One of the problems with Christmas today is that it has strayed from the sense of the sacred and for most has become a secular holiday, filled with all the stress and materialism one would expect when the Lord is removed from the center.”
The original gifts were meant to honor Jesus, but all too often today, our gift giving has become self-centered and materialistic, or even burdensome. Ashcraft argues that today, children and adults often demand the most expensive gift or the latest technology in reciprocity for their love and affection; having lost sight of the meaning of the “Christmas” gift.
Over the years, I have seen, and felt, the pressure associated with the commercialization of the season, which has become so prevalent that it gave birth to a movement, “The Giving Season.” In what is giving season and why should you care about it, author Kevin Donaldson tells us that “giving season is so important because it is a time to be generous, kind, and help those in need, particularly through charitable giving.” Donaldson explains the movement:
“Started in 2012 as a way to shift the mindset from the consumerism of Black Friday to that of helping those in need. The season is a reminder for us to be grateful for the things we have and the people we have in our lives. Because of this, it is a period of time full of generosity and kindness, and that’s why it’s become known as the season of giving, or—more simply—giving season.”
Christmas is more than a time for giving, it’s a time for “radical love,” the kind that Jesus gave. “Radical love is unconditional love. It’s given freely without having to be earned and regardless of what’s received in return. This type of love is unmotivated by the possibility of reciprocation or reward. Its ultimate purpose is selflessness, compassion, understanding, and gratitude.”
Radical love isn’t about being nice or thoughtful, it is fundamental to following, and leading, like Jesus. It is about charity, generosity and compassion; but, most importantly, it’s about love. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (MSG) reminds us of the importance of the concepts:
“When you happen on someone who’s in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don’t look the other way pretending you don’t see him. Don’t keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don’t count the cost. “
Think about this verse, and more importantly, its implications. How does it apply to this season, and our lives? The church has a Christmas drive for needy children; “don’t keep a tight grip on your purse.” You see a homeless person asking for money; “don’t pretend you don’t see him.” At work, someone you’ve had difficulty with needs help to meet their deadlines or save their job; “lend whatever and as much as they need.”
Radical love isn’t easy. We aren’t always loveable, and we don’t like to let our needs be known. We don’t ask for help because we don’t want to be vulnerable or weak. Sometimes we go to great lengths to hide our needs. Haven’t you heard of someone struggling to make ends meet yet throwing a lavish party or buying lucrative items? Have you known someone that didn’t have time for their family but couldn’t, or wouldn’t, miss their “tee” time?
In the Christmas movie, Red One, (Amazon, 2024) there is a line that says, “Every choice that we make is an opportunity.” I think that expressing radical love, especially the kind that Jesus gives us, are opportunities, for us and others, to make different choices.
It is the opportunity to “walk the walk” instead of “talk the talk.” The opportunity to serve rather than achieve. The choice to prioritize others over self, even if it requires sacrifice. The opportunity to give love rather than demand loyalty and attention. The choice to love, even if that love isn’t reciprocated.
Like Jesus, we can choose to see the best in people, even when they can’t see it themselves. We can choose to be the “light” (Matthew 5:16, ERV) and if we can express this kind of radical love daily; aren’t we leading like He did? Aren’t we loving the way that He commanded (Luke 10:27)? Aren’t we honoring God? And isn’t that what this season is really about?
Gilbert Camacho serves as President, Organizational Leadership Solutions, a management consulting firm, based in Melbourne, Florida. Gilbert is a certified Lead Like Jesus Facilitator with extensive leadership experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors. He has been a contributing author to the Lead Like Jesus Blog for almost 3 years writing monthly on such issues as servant leadership, accountability, trust and integrity. Gilbert s a sought-after Speaker, Trainer, and Executive Coach. Gilbert is a Registered Shared Neutral (Mediator) with the State Supreme Court of Georgia. He recently retired an Associate Director for the Human Resources Office at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. Gilbert has been married to his best friend, Annie, for almost 40 years. Together they have raised two beautiful daughters, Holley and Logan.
