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A
Simpler Christmas
Although
it is just the beginning of December, the stores are already beckoning us to
prepare for Christmas by coming in to Buy! Buy! Buy!
Surrounded as we are by a culture of commercialism, it is sometimes easy to
get caught up in a hectic, stressful blur of spending where the thought of
Christ hardly crosses our minds. As people of faith we are called on to
prepare for the Christmas holy days in completely different ways – by taking
time to slow down, reflect on God’s Word and ask what Jesus really wants of
us. Advent can be a wonderful opportunity to model Jesus’ message of
compassion and generosity, but how do we do that when our society has chosen
this time to make its greatest display of materialism?
If
you are determined to make this Christmas simpler, more meaningful, and
Christ-centered – here is a top “twelve” list for a simpler, more
meaningful Christmas.
-
Plan
ahead. Instead of going on autopilot the day after Thanksgiving,
plan events and holiday responsibilities ahead of time. Don’t
allow yourself to schedule things too tightly.
-
Give
appropriate and meaningful gifts. Give what people want to receive,
not what you want to buy. Put some thought into it, people
appreciate the thought you put into gift-giving.
-
If
you need a symbol for giving (in addition to Jesus and the three wise
men), learn the history of St. Nicholas. Santa Claus has been
completely taken over by commerce.
-
Avoid
debt. Refuse to be coerced by advertising or past habit to
overspend.
-
Avoid
stress. Make some room for yourself. Don’t assume that
things have to remain the same as they have always been.
-
Instead
of giving gifts to your extended family, think about giving a gift in
their name to a local charity. The Salvation Army, The Religious
Coalition, CareNet Pregnancy are all good choices. There are a bunch
of others. Pick one that means something important to you or to the
one in whose name it’s given.
-
Take
the time to slowly read through the Christmas story in the Bible (Luke 2,
Matthew 1-2). Look for something new. Let the “old, old
story” come alive!
-
Give
alternative gifts. Give 25% of what you spent last year to the
needy. Pick a group locally, nationally, or internationally.
Buy crafts and clothing from developing countries at alternative gift
markets (like the SERRV gift shop at the Brethren Center in New Windsor)
so that the artisans receive a fair price for their work. Also, give
of yourself by making a “coupon book” for future services and
kindnesses (babysitting, an “enchanted evening”, or a household
chore). Bake something, sew something, or compose something.
-
Celebrate
Advent during the four weeks before Christmas. Check out the book
“Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?” or some other guide to get you
started.
-
Take
turns opening the gifts under your tree one at a time so that each gift
can be admired and each giver thanked. Even with small children this
is possible!
-
Take
the time before opening your gifts to say a prayer of thanksgiving – not
just for the presents, but for the gift of Jesus!
-
Make
changes to your routines and habits slowly, but persistently.
Don’t try to change everything and everyone all at once. Take your
time so that you don’t end up feeling defeated and frustrated.
Godspeed,
Pastor
John
Mid-Week
Musings
An
Occasional bulletin from Christ United Methodist Church
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