From the YouVersion Bible App Devotional, “Advent, Day 17”

Give Joy, Get Joy

Have you ever gotten a bad Christmas gift? It’s the kind of gift you know you’re going to return before you’ve even finished unwrapping it. Then, if you’re with the gift-giver, you go through the awkward dance of pretending you like the gift without outright lying. Not the most joyful experience, right?

But how about when you get the perfect gift? The thing you didn’t even know you needed in your life. The kind of gift only someone who truly knows you could have given.

Intentional gifts can create joy. Not because they got you a thing but because the gift represents the care, intentionality, and love of the friend who gave it to you.

Now, let’s go one step further. Imagine you’re the one giving the perfect gift for your loved one. How does it feel? Joyful. Because you gave of yourself, and it created joy in others.

Remember, joy is a resilient cheerfulness anchored in the goodness of God. And throughout the Bible, we see a theme of joy leading to giving.

Remember yesterday when we explored David’s joy at regaining the Ark of the Covenant? After dancing through the streets he gave food to everyone present.

After Jerusalem was rebuilt following the exile, a man named Nehemiah encouraged his people to feast and share food with people who had none.

And Jesus, for the joy set before Him, gave His life as a gift to the world.

So why does joy lead to giving gifts? Because if we believe God is good and loves us, then we can be confident He’ll meet our needs today. And if we have what we need today, we’re free to share any extra we might have with others.

When we do, we get to be a source of joy in the lives of others. We also get to imitate Jesus, who spent His life on earth joyfully giving of His time and resources.

Joyful people give, but it also works the other way around. Giving can increase our joy. One of Jesus’ most famous quotes is, “It is better to give than to receive.”

So if you’re searching for joy this holiday season, try finding a way to give. Now you might say, “I’m already terrified to look at my bank statement after Christmas shopping, and I’m supposed to give more?”

Valid question, but remember, you can be generous with or without money.

You might try giving your time by serving at church or in your community. Or you could share extra resources and be a blessing to people in need. You might give your talents by lending advice, encouragement, wisdom, or practical support to your neighbors. Then, you’ll get to experience firsthand the joy-filled blessings of giving to others.

Of course, don’t forget what we said about peace last week. If you feel like you’re already giving all of your time, energy, and resources to others, then you might consider finding ways to pursue rest.

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for the opportunities You give me to have joy in honoring You every day. Please help me to have true joy from serving You. Please help me find ways to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My Thoughts

I love the Christmas season because of all it represents and nothing pleases me more than to find the perfect gift for someone special. I am not much for receiving gifts because I feel as though I have all that I need, but I still enjoy the thought and love that goes into each gift I give and each one I receive.

To think that Jesus gave…that is why He came to earth, to give. He gave us a physical representation of the Father’s love for each of us. He gave healings, peace and mercy everywhere He went. And He ultimately gave His life. In that giving, I am certain He found great joy because He was fulfilling the plan of the Father.

We can find joy in giving, too, if we will just take our eyes off the cost of the gifts, the commercialism and think about the receiver and the joy that we are giving in some small way. Give time, talent, and tangible gifts this season. Bless someone as you have been blessed.