"Commercialization has obscured the meaning of Christmas. The commercial has become more important than the carol. What man has to sell [has become] more important than what God has given." ~ Anonymous
What is Christmas really about? It’s so easy to get caught up in giving gifts to people we like and people who are able to give gifts to us as well. What would bring Jesus the most joy this Christmas?
1) If we give gifts to those who are able to give gifts to us
or
2) if we give with anonymity and give to those who are not able to return monetary gifts to us.
Of course there is nothing wrong with giving gifts to people we love and people who give us gifts. It always brings me joy to give gifts to my children because I like to see them happy. Their enthusiasm is there regardless of the gift they receive because they like to be loved through gifts.
What are some ways we can love Jesus by loving other people this Christmas? Jake and Jessica, friends of mine have a great Christmas gift giving post so instead of trying to recreate it I'm just linking to their blog.
My health insurance, Kaiser sent out a newsletter that had some neat ideas for spending little, but loving much. To see the article, Gifts that Really Give click here.
Finally, reading together can make Christmas special. One book I checked out of our public library for my children was:The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans. It is a children's book that I recommend reading aloud with children under 10 to make sure they understand what the author is attempting to teach to those with eyes to see. The book can be read in minutes, but the discussion that follows can help your children discover the true meaning of loving as Jesus loves and loving others as if they were Jesus especially at Christmas time.
Another neat book is The Special Guest: A Christmas Story by Lee and Donna Hall - The authors wrote the book for their children, but it's a short story with a beautiful message that can be enjoyed by all ages at Christmas and throughout the year. I read the story aloud to my daughter who was capable of reading it to herself, but it was a special time for us to read it together.
If you have any unique ideas you'd like to share about how you are making Christmas special or gifts you will give to make other's life more meaningful, please share in the comments section.
Merry Christmas!
1 comment:
Years ago the pastor and I delivered a Turkey and a few gifts to a family in need at Christmas. We stood in the small kitchen as the single parent father drove his fist through the wall in anger. I wasn't prepared for that - but God was. In a few months the father was in a car accident with minor injuries and now no car. I loaned him one of my vehicles and we became good friends. He even apologized for his previous attitude. I believe I wished him "Merry Christmas!" again even though it was now summer. A couple of years later we loaded up a U-Haul and my family moved several states away. The father and three boys were the ones who came and helped us load in our time of need! Within a couple of years the father died of cancer quite suddenly. Is that sad? Maybe, but he went to be with his Lord and Savior!
Christmas is not about Turkey and gifts, its about leading others to the ultimate gift of Christ as Savior. If I remember right, that's why He came.
May you be used by Him this Season of Giving!
Indian Lake Papa
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