Several years ago my father changed our family’s Christmas tradition.  He declared that he would no longer accept any more “stuff” from us.  It was a good decision.  He already has several outbuildings full of more stuff than he needs.

What he told us that day was that we had a year to get him a different kind of gift.  He invited my sisters and me to find someone who needed help — any kind of help — which was within our ability to provide.  All he wanted was for us to tell him about it.

The next year came and we all complied.  It was the most meaningful Christmas any of us ever had.  By the year following that, we had all instinctively stopped buying “stuff” for each other as well.  We all look forward to seeing what opportunities we’ve found to be generous.  Usually our helping is anonymous.  Sometimes the recipient knows us.  No matter what the details, we always learn something about what it means to be created in the image of a generous God.

Smoky Mountain Christian Village is one of CBF’s newest ministry partners.  They have an ideal location  for retreats of nearly any kind in Pigeon Forge NC.  You can learn more about them at http://www.tsmcv.org.

During this Christmas season they are making a very generous offer to let a few families enjoy their hospitality for a very special holiday!  You can participate in their generosity at nearly no cost to yourself by Paying it Forward to a family you know.  All of the information can be found at their website, http://www.tsmcv.com.  Time is of the essence!

We are all created in the image of a generous God.  May this Christmas season offer you many ways to exercise the divine impulse of generosity that is within you.