Do you enjoy giving or receiving gifts?
If you haven’t read author Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages, it would be a great Christmas gift for a spouse, special friend or yourself. Dr. Chapman believes there are five basic love languages:
- Words of affirmation
- Acts of service
- Receiving gifts
- Quality time
- Physical touch
I love to give gifts and I love to receive them. Phil’s love language is not “gifts.” He is an “acts of service” and “physical touch” person. We’ve learned that about each other – sometimes the hard way. He wouldn’t care if I ever gave him a birthday card and would feel loved if I vacuumed and washed the car/truck. On the other hand, I would be wallowing in a puddle of self-pity if He didn’t give me a birthday card, a gift or take me out for dinner.
What feels like love – or speaks love – to one person isn’t necessarily the same for another. If we are married, it’s important to be in tune with our spouse’s love language(s) and they with ours. It certainly helps to keep the sparks in the marriage.
For the non-gifts love “languagers” out there, be aware of those in your circle who are gifts people. Shock them with a gift this Christmas – even if it is something small or inexpensive. For all of the gifts people, don’t be offended if non-gifts people in your circle don’t give you a gift. Remember, it is probably not that they don’t love or appreciate you. This is a bigger subject than can be tackled in a short devotional so I encourage you to dig deeper and discover what makes your people tick – what makes them feel loved – what speaks love to them.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
May God help us love well. May our gifts be given out of love. May we be thankful for the Greatest Gift that is a perfect fit for everyone – Jesus.
Christmas cheering you on!
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