The 4 Presents of Christmas

This really touched me. A few years back instead of giving the adults in my life gifts I donated money to a charity I thought they would like and gave them a card with info on the organization and the donation in their name. It went over well. But my older brother was especially touched. I gave to a Prison Ministry that gave toys to the prisoners children as our father was in and out of prison our whole childhood. He gave me the strangest look and really was touched. Come to find out, unknown to all of our family, except his wife, he had been involved in some wrongdoings and was about to be sentenced to 7 years in federal prison. God really works though us doesnt HE? My brother has since given his heart to Christ, he has been out for a few years, works, is very successful and God is awesome. So I really recommend to pray about this and give someone special a donation. You never know how God will use it.

I know what you mean by having excess.  When my children have to divide their things between their mom's house and mine, there was no need to buy extra toys or gadgets.  They had enough of everything, including clothes, to have stuff in both places.  When we swap the children, each one only has a duffle bag of a few items they take back and forth.

The idea that Karen and today's caller presented about 4 or 3 gifts is wonderful, especially with a more limited budget. We are taught in the bible that is better to give than receive.  My children hear this message as well, and having them consider what they can give of theirs before they decide what they might receive for Christmas, helps them understand Christ's message.

My Friend and her family does the 3 gifts… like the Kings gave Jesus…

Gold

Frankincense

Myrrh

They try to represent them to our time..

Gold = something they want that they probably would just get

Frankincense= a spiritual gift to lead them along the way

Myrrh= a beauty  gift / personal gift

The kids love it.. because its more personal and they like getting things they really want and not a bunch a stuff that is not that meaningful…

Here is a link to share:

whispersofthespirit.com/goldfrankincensemyrrh.aspx

I love it! Thanks! =)

I really like this idea!  Some kids (and adults, let's be honest) get the "gimmes" during this time of year, so this is an awesome lesson.

Great idea! This year, we are implementing a three present plan for our family. Each child gets three presents.We figured that if three presents were enough for baby Jesus, then that's enough for our family, too! After reading everyone's thoughts, I think we'll be adding three gifts to give as well.

I like this when i have kids this sounds good to do

I found this 4 gifts idea last year and it worked out really well.  Our kids are still pretty little (5 and 2) and it's nice to start them out now with only a few meaningful gifts, instead of lots of things they won't really use.  We also find a couple places to give gifts as well.  This year they each helped fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child and our town has a "store" for foster families to shop at, so we picked up some gifts for them as well.

Dear Amanda:

You have been on my heart since you started at KLOVE. You are brave to share your story and it touches so many people because we all feel broken sometimes in our lives. I'm sorry for the loss your family has endured and you are in our family's prayers.

I love your post about making Christmas simpler and the comments that people have left. All good info for me as I discern how to help my family appreciate Christmas for what it really is.

Thank you!

I had been struggling since Thanksgiving with the feeling that I really want our family to 100% focus on Christ's birth and that can be really hard to do in this world where it is all about what you HAVE and what you GET! Our kids are 8,5, and 3 and I couldn't think of a better time than right now to change how we celebrate the birth of Christ!  Every year God has changed our celebration and this year God has changed my heart and your message was just what He wanted me to hear.  We are doing the 4 presents but I added one more, Something I can Make them, and they each want me to make them a blanket where I will add something special like a photo of myself with each child.  That way I am also giving them a "keepsake".  I praise God for what I am hearing through K-Love and the encouraging words.  God is using you all in a BIG way!! Thank you!!

My friend Janelle gives each of her seven children four gifts. Three represent the gifts the wise men brought to the newborn Jesus, and those are opened right away. But the fourth gift, the most beautifully wrapped gift, they can not open until Easter.

Janelle's children surely know that the best thing about Christmas  ... is Easter.