Why is Christmas the only holiday where everyone exchanges gifts?

We don’t do that on Easter or Thanksgiving or Independence Day. On birthdays we give gifts to one person, but on Christmas we give gifts to everyone. I don’t know the full cultural answer to that question, but I know the theological one—extraordinary generosity is at the heart of Christmas.

At the very first Christmas, God gave. And the gift he gave was no small thing. He didn’t hold back. He didn’t measure out his generosity. He didn’t start out by giving a little and then consider giving more later. He gave it all in one night.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.

Extraordinary generosity. Lavish sacrifice. Extravagant kindness. Our most memorable Christmas gifts given and received are but tiny ripples emanating out from this first astonishing gift.

Each Christmas at Fellowship we open our hands and give generously to our Global Christmas offering. We do this purposefully—not because it’s a nice thing to do—but so that God’s first extravagant gift would be proclaimed and made known around the world. We give our gifts so that the ripples of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ would spread a little further this year than they ever have before.

Our goal is to join our resources to give 1 million dollars to our global and local partners and missionaries. This money will go directly to high-
priority projects our partners have chosen so that the Gospel can expand into new places. By giving, we have the privilege of encouraging and fueling the work of Jesus in locations we can’t physically reach and to people we’ve never met.

As you explore this magazine, be in prayer. Talk to God about the people whose stories you’ll encounter. Allow yourself to be sensitive to their needs. Ask the Spirit to show you how he wants you to be a part. I believe he will open your heart to the joy of generosity that is at the heart of Christmas.

Rob Sweet
Lead Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church