What are you giving for Christmas?

I heard recently that Christmas lists have grown so long that Santa's having to delegate this year. Taking the Southeastern U.S. is Santa's cousin from the South Pole named “Bubba Claus.” Bubba's mission is to deliver toys, but there are a few differences.

Bubba's sleigh has a gun rack and a bumper sticker that reads, “These toys are insured by Smith and Wesson.” Bubba's sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flying coon dogs instead of reindeer. “Ho, ho, ho” has been replaced by “Yee Haw!” The elves always reply, “I her'd dat!” Instead of the traditional milk and cookies, Bubba requests that boys and girls leave an RC Cola and a moon pie under the Christmas tree.

Someone asked Bubba Claus about the nativity scene he set up at the South Pole. The wise men were wearing firemen's helmets. “What's up with the firemen helmets?”

Bubba explained, “It says right here in Matthew's gospel that the wise men came from afar. So them wise men are wearing firemen's helmets since they came from afar.”

The wise men are an important part of the Christmas story because they followed the star to seek out Jesus, and when they found Him, they worshiped him and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These weren't skimpy gifts. The wise men presented meaningful gifts that were appropriate for a king. They gave their best to Jesus.

What gifts can we give that will really mean something not only to each other, but also to Jesus? We can give material gifts that are placed under the Christmas tree and opened on Christmas morning. We can give monetary gifts, and then we can give gifts of a spiritual nature, such as those described in Ephesians 4:25-32.

Paul writes, “Therefore, putting away lying, 'let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give opportunity to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers ... Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

These gifts are practices and character traits that can enrich our lives year-round.

First, give the gift of honesty. Honesty is a basic, foundational character trait. Do you know how many people in our day and time think nothing of lying? Not just little white lies, but telling outright untruths. Be truthful and honest in your dealings with others. Do what you commit to do. Do not take what is not yours, whether it's someone's possession or answers on a test.

Second, give the gift of careful speech. Stop allowing any rotten, trashy word to proceed out of your mouth. Recently, a middle school in New Hampshire started fining students caught using any cursing or vulgar speech. The school resource officer writes a ticket for $105 and the student or student's parent must pay it. This school is serious about cleaning up trashy talk.

Instead of crude talk, our talk should be uplifting. We should bless and affirm others with speech that builds people up. We should be complimentary and encouraging.

Too often we're like the couple leaving church after worship, and the wife said to her husband, “Did you see that dress that Cathy was wearing? It must have been three sizes too small. I bet she's gained weight.”

“No, I really didn't notice,” the husband replied.

“And did you see that gawdy scarf that Suzanne was wearing. She must have gotten that at a flea market.”

“No, I didn't see that either.”

“My goodness,” said the wife, “what in the world do you come to church for, anyway?”

Third, give the gift of kindness. You'd be surprised what a word or act of kindness can do for someone this Christmas. Be patient with other drivers. Be kind to other shoppers. Be kind with one another. Don't be a grouchy grinch.

Finally, give the gift of forgiveness. Release your bitterness, resentment, and seething anger. Let go of your explosive rage that leaves behind such a mess. When you are angry, do not let the devil use your anger to cause hurt. Don't let today's anger carry over into tomorrow, but deal with issues and resolve them.

What gift can you share with Jesus this Christmas?