Christmas is a special time of year. Lighting displays, parties, seasonal foods and drinks and heartwarming Christmas movies and TV specials all make Christmas the premier, feel-good event of the year for both young and old. Of course, there is a deeper meaning to meaning to Christmas. It’s why we began celebrating it in the first place. It is the birth of Jesus. If you want to make the religious side of Christmas the focus of your celebration this year, a religious-themed gift makes a beautiful statement. Here are five gifts that will help you show the recipient the real meaning of Christmas.
5: Nativity Scene. What could be more Christmasy than a nativity scene? These sets have been around for ages and are displayed in countless homes every Christmas. Some play music, some light up, and some are heirlooms passed from one generation to the next. They are made of a wide variety of materials such as glass, wood, plastic, stone, and metal. Nativity scenes can be found in department stores such as Macy’s and Sears and at Christian bookstores like Family Christian Stores. They come in so many different styles that you sure to find one you like. My personal favorite is an African-American nativity scene done in ivory (color, not real ivory). It is 8 inches in size and can be found at itsablackthang.com. It costs $27.95.
4: A charitable donation. If you believe Christmas is really a time of peace and goodwill toward men, skip giving that electric razor or those scented bath soaps. Instead give a donation to a charity in the recipient’s name. I know, it’s not a tangible gift, but I guarantee that it will do more good than a new tie or a set of ear rings. The number of worthy charitable organizations is almost endless and includes such notable organizations as The Red Cross, (which can be found at redcross.org) Habitat for Humanity, (which can be found at Habitat.org) and Food for the Poor, Inc.(Which can be found at Foodforthepoor.org.). Pick your favorite charity and warm the heart of somebody on your Christmas list with a gift of hope.
3: Godz Girl Fashion Doll. Consider these dolls Barbie alternatives. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with Barbie (my wife has a huge collection of them). I’m only offering a Christian-themed alternative. There are three dolls in this collection: Abigail, Hannah, and Sarah. They come modestly but fashionably dressed and have a Christian message or theme on their shirts. You can find these dolls for $13.75 at touchofheaven.com.
2: Messengers of Faith action figures. You didn’t think I was going to leave the boys out did you? These toys are famous people from the Bible, including Jesus, Mary, David, and Moses. They speak bible quotes and offer a youngster a way to learn about God through playing. They can be found at store.messengersoffaith.net and cost $19.99.
1: The Bible. Always a perfect gift for a Christian, the Bible is available in a wide variety of versions geared towards all ages. There are children’s Bibles, student’s Bibles, men’s Bibles, women’s Bibles, etc. At Christmas why not give the book that tells the story of Christmas? My personal favorite version is the New Living Version. It is well-translated and written in today’s English. The Bible can be found at most any bookstore and is available for a wide variety of prices depending on the particular Bible.
This Christmas can really be about Christmas if you want it to be. Give love, hope, and joy by giving a gift that connects the recipient to the meaning of the holiday. Merry Christmas to all!
