Every Christmas, we give gifts—to family, friends, coworkers, and sometimes even people whose names we drew from a hat. Gift-giving is woven into the season. But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to forget whose birthday we’re actually celebrating.
Years ago, our church began a simple tradition called The Christmas Gift for Jesus. The idea wasn’t complicated: if we’re already giving gifts to everyone else, why not intentionally give one to Him?
This isn’t about replacing regular giving or confusing it with tithes or missions support. Those things matter—they keep the lights on, support staff, and help fund missionaries and outreach projects around the world. The Christmas Gift for Jesus is different. It’s a once-a-year offering set aside intentionally, thoughtfully, and often sacrificially, as an act of gratitude.
Over the years, people have given in all kinds of ways. Some give money. Some donate stocks or property. Once, a little girl brought her favorite ring—something deeply personal—to place in the offering box. It wasn’t about value on paper. It was about value from the heart.
Where the Gift Goes
Our church has multiple campuses—Pensacola, Beulah, Molino, and North Pace—and every campus participates together. The gifts collected are combined and then distributed to support ministry needs across all locations.
Those needs are very real and very practical:
- Audiovisual and technology upgrades
- Children’s ministry resources
- Updated signage and facilities
- Support for families facing hardship, especially during the holidays
One small group recently decided to provide Christmas for five families on their own. That’s the kind of ripple effect generosity creates.
This year, the Molino campus is leading the Molino Christmas Parade—floats, kids’ activities, and a full community celebration. The Beulah campus continues hosting Beulah Bash, an event that draws six to ten thousand people every year. These aren’t just events; they’re opportunities to meet people where they are.
Even something as ordinary as building an extra bathroom—yes, that actually happened—came from this offering. Sometimes ministry looks like a mission trip. Sometimes it looks like plumbing. Both matter.
Why It Matters
At its core, our church exists to do three things:
- Connect people to God
- Connect people to one another
- Connect the church to a lost world
-
That happens through worship, small groups, community events, and everyday conversations—at the grocery store, the barbershop, or a hunting camp. It happens when people decide church isn’t just a place to attend, but a community to belong to.
And the impact is measurable. From January through November this year:
- 1,890 people made decisions to follow Christ
- 384 people were baptized (on track to exceed 400)
- 604 new members joined the church
Those aren’t statistics for a report—they represent lives, families, marriages, and futures that look different because someone chose to give.
Giving Isn’t Really About Money
Some people get uncomfortable when money comes up in church. That’s understandable. But the truth is, this isn’t really about money at all. Money is just a tool. The real issue is generosity—and gratitude.
You can’t out-give God. No matter how generous we try to be, it will never compare to what He has already given.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”
That verse is familiar for a reason. It captures the heart of the gospel in a single sentence: God gave first.
Scripture repeats that theme over and over:
- “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
- “By grace you have been saved… it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
- “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
God didn’t give what was easy. He gave what was costly. And He did it for people who didn’t deserve it.
Give Yourself First
There’s an old story from the days of bus ministry that captures this perfectly. A young boy from a poor neighborhood came to church with nothing in his pockets. When the offering plate came by, he felt the weight of having nothing to give. Then he did something unforgettable—he asked for the plate, set it on the floor, and stepped into it.
“I don’t have anything to give to Jesus but myself,” he said.
That’s still the point today.
Before giving money, give yourself. Your heart. Your trust. Your life. When that happens, generosity follows naturally—not out of pressure, but out of gratitude.
The Christmas Gift for Jesus is simply one way to say thank you. Thank you for grace. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for life. And thank you for letting us be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Give yourself first. Then give joyfully—so someone else’s story can change too.
