We have many traditions in the Love home that we all look forward to during the holiday season, starting with a big Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving to the things we do on Christmas day. One passion we have for this time of year is that we believe Christmas is a time for giving.

God Started It All

The celebration of Christmas all began with your loving Heavenly Father: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NLT) Christmas began with a need, our need. We needed a right relationship with God and God values each of us as His masterpiece so much that He gave His only son that first Christmas. God started it all because He values you.

Here are a few things you can do this Christmas season to share His value and worth:

1. Understand Your Own Value

From the Christmas story to the very last words the Bible reveals God’s heart is for you. You are of incredible worth to God. First, because you are His creation, His masterpiece, second because of the investment He has made in your life and third because of the potential He has placed in you. That is true of those in your life as well. Ask God to help you see value He has placed on you and others as well.

2. Develop Your Value

Each day of your life you can make yourself more valuable to those around you by developing your relational skill, by living as a lifetime learner – especially in the areas God has gifted you. Albert Einstein said it this way: “Try not to become men of success. Rather, become men of value.” To do more you must be more.

3. Recognize The Value Of Others

Have you ever gotten a gift from someone that they wanted but it was not even on your radar? When that happens you know they were not thinking about you. They were not truly valuing you and your desires. Make a decision to value others this Christmas season, not just in gifts, but in giving them your best self for their best self. To recognize the value in others, live these four priorities:

a.     Recognize their priorities.

b.     Put yourself in their shoes.

c.      Value their feedback.

d.     Talk with them about their potential and consider how you can help them reach it.

Zig Ziglar said it this way: “Help others get what they want and you will get what you want” This is God’s principle of “sowing and reaping.” You are of great value to Him, you are His masterpiece and you will live more fully as His masterpiece as you help others do the same. Begin this Christmas season by giving the incredible gift of adding value to those around you.

Make adding values a part of your Life Palette each day. It will help you to live as the masterpiece God created you to be. In my book Life Palette I wrote about it this way: “In the Bible, the Psalmist wrote about those who “delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:2-3) This verse provides a picture of what God desires for you as His masterpiece. His plan is that your life will always produce something of worth and value. His plan is that your life is lived like a tree with leaves that always bloom and give life, never dying away. His plan is that you will prosper in everything that you do. This prosperity is not a guarantee of health, wealth, and happiness, but it is an assurance that what God has in store for you is good and fulfilling. It is like the “rich and satisfying life” that Jesus said He came to give you in John 10:10. It’s the kind of life that will give you more vigor and enthusiasm each day.”