There’s a story of a grandmother who never heard from her grandchildren. Every Christmas she would send them a check but would never hear back from them. The checks were cashed, but there came no thank you note, no phone call, no text message to express their gratitude.
One Christmas she changed things up. She sent a check to each grandchild—unsigned. That year, she heard from every one of her grandchildren.
Before I get to the how-to, I will ask you the question I asked myself. Are you one of those ungrateful persons on someone’s list? Your parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts?
Perhaps your employer will give you a small bonus or a ham or some other recognition of the holiday. Do you consider that gift owed to you and receive it with an attitude that conveys your feelings, or do you shock your employer with a thank you note?
Christmas tends to bring out the best in some people. Their generosity shines with donations to charities that serve the poor, particularly those non-profits that focus on children.
For others, Christmas brings out the flaws in their character. They’re into materialism. Their gifts are dressed to impress. They need to outshine and out spend their siblings. Or they are parents who believe the higher the stockpile under and around the tree, the more loved the children will feel. (BTW, this mentality plants the seed of ingratitude, but that’s another blog.)
So, how do we shop for the not-so-grateful on our list?
First, consider what that person would appreciate if they had a mind to. Don’t give what you want to give. Give what you believe they would want or use. Although it is blessed to give, and it would give you pleasure to give what you want, consider the receiver and their needs.
Next, don’t spend more money with the false belief that if you spend more, they would appreciate you more. Not gonna happen. Nor should you spend so little that your gift is intended to make a statement. (Remember character flaws? You don’t want to show yours, do you?)
Finally, and most importantly, consider Christ. He left His Father’s throne and His kingly crown when He came to earth to be born in a filthy stable, to grow up in a sin-cursed world, to give the greatest gift known to man—His life as the sacrifice for sin.
How ungrateful has mankind been for this gift of amazing grace? They cursed Him, spit in His face, shredded His sinews with a cat o’ nine tails, and subjected Him to the cruelest form of death—crucifixion.
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. He did not give us what He wanted to give. Jesus prayed His Father would take the cup of death from His hands. Yet, God gave us what we needed, a sacrifice for our sin, forgiveness, hope, peace, and eternal life in the presence of Christ.
Jesus did not spend more in the hope mankind would honor Him with humbleness of heart. He gave all. He had nothing more to give. Nor did He spend less.
Let’s follow His example, because it really is all about Him.
Merry Christmas.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).