Written By: David Nehrig | CSUS National Director
Photo By: Reed Burr | Media Manager

The Holiday season is all about giving. Everyone is busy finding the perfect gift for someone else. But the true meaning of Christmas isn’t really about finding the best gifts. It’s about how God gave each one of us the perfect gift – His son. And in return for His gift, all God asks of us is to give ourselves back to Him. What does giving your life to God look like to you? 

Wrapping up this year and looking forward to next year, I want to challenge all of us to give more than we take. May we take the time to recognize how we can practically give our lives back to God. 

In surfing, it’s easy to have a selfish mindset. We are always trying to get in position for that next wave. As a surfer with four boys, I have gone through several different seasons – from spending time in the water by myself to helping them surf. Recently, I ended the season by helping my boys catch waves. It has been several years of me swimming next to my boys, paddling next to them and pushing them into waves. It’s a season where my wave count has gone down. But it’s been great to see them catch waves. 

I want to keep that kind of mindset of helping others catch waves whenever I go surfing. How different would our lineups look if everyone gave a wave or two away every session we have? 

Christmas reminds me of the ultimate gift we received. God gave us the perfect gift with the birth of Jesus. Jesus came to earth to become a man and died on the cross. And, Jesus also gave us a precious gift – eternal life when we accept Him into our hearts. 

Philippians 2:6-8
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

The birth of Jesus is the ultimate example of the best gift we can receive. As we celebrate Christmas, may we be reminded of the perfect gift we received from God. May we celebrate Christmas this year by committing to giving to others in and out of the water.