We talk a lot about Santa Claus at this time of year.....he has become quite famous....in my town, he is even celebrated with a little parade announcing his arrival and a gathering at the Fire Station.  We give him a lot of CHRISTMAS POMP and CIRCUMSTANCE :)..... so much so, that I think we might neglect that the uniqueness and beauty of St. Nicholas's style of giving was this Biblical principle.  

If we patterned our giving in this way, Christmas would look much different:

1.  Give to the NEEDY

2. Remain ANONYMOUS (I love how that verse describes to do that!  Be so sneaky your left hand is like...."What?...What just happened?")

3.  Trust that our HEAVENLY FATHER sees our actions and will reward us.

Why should we want to remain anonymous?  Anonymous (HA!  I always accidentally type an e at the end of that word....the anony mouse :)  ANYWAY, anonymous means, "of unknown name or authorship"....this is important as we live out a life that is in full surrender to God.  We could always choose to insert our name as the originator of the good gift, but if we choose to give in secret, GOD IS TO BE PRAISED....instead of us.  This is an act of worship....MORE OF HIM....less of me.