Christmas gifts have become the central focus of the season in our consumer-oriented society, overshadowing any worship of Christ. The common motive for giving gifts is often to ensure receiving them in return, with the expectation that better gifts given increase the likelihood of receiving equally good ones. This practice carries an element of obligation, causing apprehension among those who celebrate. The commercialization of Christmas further fuels selfish desires, as advertisements promise disappointment if personal wants are not fulfilled. Additionally, the financial burden of buying gifts creates headaches and fears, with many maxing out credit cards and facing debt for months or years. This self-seeking and envy, as warned by James, breeds confusion and every evil thing, reflecting an earthly, sensual, and demonic spirit rather than anything godly.

Christmas gift-giving, often seen as a cherished tradition, has roots steeped in pagan practices and commercial influences. The custom is said to have originated with an early bishop, Nicholas, who died in AD 345. His followers honored him by giving gifts on December 6, the anniversary of his death. As his cult spread to German and Celtic pagans, it merged with their worship of Woden, a figure with a long, white beard who rode through the heavens. Through syncretism, Nicholas transformed into a bearded figure who traveled in winter, eventually shifting gift-giving to December 25. This practice further evolved with cultural additions like Washington Irving's satirical Santa Claus, Clement Moore's poem introducing a sleigh and reindeer, and Thomas Nast's depiction of Santa with a North Pole workshop. The modern image of Santa was finalized in 1931 by a Coca-Cola marketing campaign featuring a chubby, red-suited figure. Today, Christmas is heavily marked by commercialism, with many families spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on gifts despite financial struggles, reflecting a focus on personal pleasure over any deeper significance.

Christmas Gifts, such as the giving of dolls, are steeped in ancient heathen customs. Millions of little girls have received baby dolls or Barbies for Christmas, a practice inspired by pagan traditions. These dolls, given especially to children during ancient festivals, were thought by some Roman scholars to represent original human sacrifices to infernal gods. Satan, the master deceiver, uses such seemingly innocent gifts, along with beautiful evergreen trees and islands of light, to make his deceptions appear attractive and harmless. Yet, in embracing these customs, one risks casting God aside, breaking His law, and conforming to the ways of an evil world.

When we moved into our new neighborhood, our neighbors came over to present us with Christmas gifts. We immediately confessed that we do not celebrate Christmas, and the neighbors were stunned, questioning if we believed in God. The secret was out; we were officially peculiar in our new community. Regarding Christmas gifts, if it is considered Christ's birthday, why do people give gifts to everyone but Him? Is that not normal birthday etiquette? The wise men who followed the star brought gifts to Jesus at the house where Joseph and Mary stayed, not exchanging gifts among themselves. This seems logical, yet responses often dismiss it as nonsensical. The modern portrayal of Santa Claus involves making gifts at the North Pole and delivering them down chimneys on Christmas Eve, supposedly made by elves and delivered by flying reindeer in a single night to the entire world. Even though adults know this tale is a lie, they often justify it as harmless fun. Santa is depicted as listening to children's wishes and bringing gifts to the good ones, yet gifts seem to be given regardless of behavior, which raises questions about the underlying message.

The giving of gifts on Christmas is often justified by the claim that Christ received gifts, yet the truth reveals a different story. The wise men brought gifts to Him as a young child, not at His birth, and these were not birthday presents but tokens of esteem for a King, following Middle Eastern custom. Moreover, the wise men did not exchange gifts among themselves. The modern practice of exchanging gifts during Christmas stems from ancient pagan worship traditions of giving and receiving, rather than any connection to the life of Christ. This holiday also sees a decline in church offerings as people focus their resources on personal spending, highlighting a hypocrisy in the season's priorities. Christmas fosters a spirit of getting and coveting, especially among children, with the common question being "What did you get?" rather than "What did you give?" This emphasis on receiving contradicts the true spirit of giving and leads to self-gratification, often resulting in increased sin and crime during the season.

Why do people exchange presents with family members, friends, and relatives at Christmas time? The custom of trading gifts back and forth has no connection to honoring Christ's birth. Instead, it is a continuation of an ancient pagan practice, characteristic of the Saturnalia festival, as historical records plainly show. This tradition of exchanging gifts among friends and relatives at Christmas does not celebrate or honor Him, but rather distracts from His cause. Consider the absurdity of lavishing gifts on everyone else while ignoring the one whose birthday is supposedly being honored. Yet, this is precisely what happens worldwide during the Christmas season, as people spend every dime they can muster trading presents among themselves. In contrast, when the wise men came to see the young child Jesus, they presented gifts directly to Him, following an ancient eastern custom of offering presents to a king, not exchanging them among themselves. This act was not about setting a precedent for modern gift-giving traditions but was a gesture of respect for His status as King. Moreover, during the Christmas season, the focus on gift trading often overshadows support for Christ's work. December proves to be the most challenging month for His cause, as people are preoccupied with shopping and exchanging gifts, seldom returning to normal support until well after the season. This custom of trading gifts invariably sets back His work each year, revealing its true nature as a hindrance rather than a tribute to Him.

This season brings an annual cultural altercation over how Christmas should be observed, particularly regarding the exchange of gifts. Questions arise about whether gifts should be given at all, and if so, how many are appropriate. The line between acceptable and shameful consumerism remains unclear. Without clear instruction from God, the matter of Christmas gifts, like other traditions of this holiday, is left to personal interpretation and the shifting norms of an ungrounded culture.