Generous Theology

Generosity at Christmas

Giving and Hoping – Generosity during Advent

Please use the slider below to discover an introduction and four reflective sessions for Advent, looking at generosity through the eyes of characters in the biblical Christmas story. 

Giving and Hoping Introduction

This is a series of four sessions looking at generosity as we prepare to celebrate the greatest of gifts at Christmas

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Mary and Joseph

Mary and Joseph are at the heart of the story of the birth and life of Jesus Christ

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The Shepherds

The shepherds are presented by Luke as ‘everymen’ and allow us to witness events through the eyes of ordinary people

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The Wise Men

The story of the wise men traditionally sits alongside the Christmas story although it is separate and probably happened years later

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The Innkeeper

The character of the innkeeper only appears in the bible stories by implication, yet is a popular figure in our traditional Christmas story and school nativity plays

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‘All things come from you and of your own do we give you’ 

1 Chronicles 29:14 and Common Worship 

There are more Bible verses on money, wealth and possessions (2,450) than anything apart from love, with four times more than on faith or prayer. Jesus warns explicitly about the danger of focusing on wealth, as does Paul. 16 of the 38 recorded parables are about money and possessions. One of our challenges is that, whilst we as a church often hate talking about money, Jesus never stopped. Giving is neither forbidden nor commanded by scripture, but wholly integrated within our discipleship, our following of Jesus, and our desire and calling to be Christ-like. Generosity is a hallmark of a lived-out faith and a testament to it.