Why do we buy gifts?

I’ve been thinking about Christmas and gift-giving this year. 

I love giving gifts. And since I became a Marmee in 2019, I’ve loved that part of Christmas even more! 

Now that I have two—and soon, three!—grandgirls, I tend to go a bit overboard. I own that. So much so that I was asking the Lord this year to show me if this was something I needed to curtail. Was it a self-control issue? Something else? 

But as I listened, the question that kept coming to mind was, Why? Why do you go overboard giving to the grandgirls—and not just on Christmas! 

Because I wasn’t able to do as much for my own kids when they were little? Yes, that’s part of it. Lack of self-control? Possibly a little bit. But as I dug down, I realized my motivation went deeper than that. 

Why do I find such joy in overdoing the gifts for my girls? 

Because I love them, and I want them to tangibly know that. 

I want them to know that my love and gifts are not dependant on anything but their status as my grandchildren. I want them to feel seen. To feel deeply loved by us. 

At this realization came the whisper to my heart: “That’s exactly why I sent Jesus.” 

And isn’t it true? Jesus coming to earth, not just to be our Savior but to experience flesh and the world, is a gift that reveals to us just how much God loves us! And it is a gift availabe to all, simply because we are created by God. 

I pray that as we give and receive the presents under the tree this year, we remember the greatest gift of all—the incarnate Jesus. 

Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father. Prince of Peace.

Our Savior. Our great High Priest, who understands our weaknesses. 

May we all grow in the knowledge of His lavish love for us. 

Merry Christmas!