The act of giving comes from the love of God. All humans have a portion of God within. Many don’t know it. When we give, whether we know God or not, we’re imitating Him. At the start of 1994, our NY-based church, Metro, added a second-story to their storage room to fit their Christmas stockings. They had had 39,000 stockings for boys and girls, and were expecting to double that number by the next year, which they did.
We were allowed to take some for kids we knew or to distribute. I calculated enough for my students, all the kindergarteners ,and first and second graders. Each group picked a day and time to visit our room, receive a stocking (red for girls, green for boys), and to have their class picture taken in front of our tree. A few teachers also joined in!
My students, in addition to having their pics taken also received gifts from me. And all Paraprofessionals would yearly receive a huge Rome apple-the largest I could find. I’d shine it up and pass them out. Additionally, each student was allowed to bring to class their favorite stuffed animal to have by their side each day during the Christmas season-regardless of their grade (first -fourth).
Because God has deposited His goodness in us, in general, we’ve inherited inklings from Him to give to others. God’s the most generous being in/out of this universe. We give to be like Him. Givers love to give-every chance we can! This new year, be a giver (or give more)! You’ll get unbeatable satisfaction! God loves giving and loves a cheerful giver (original rendering: God loves a hilarious giver- 2Corinthians 9:7)!
Merry Christmas!
Sam
