Most importantly, I love how Christmas brings about an opportunity to share the Gospel. I was at a store the other day that had prominently displayed their imported Nativity sets. This trio of a mother, daughter, and son came in behind me and were exploring everything by eagerly poking and prodding a variety of delicate ornaments and household items. Then they saw the display. Most of the nativities were hand carved and hidden away in little white boxes so that a flood of color greeted you when you opened one. I think the little girl pulled a small set open first. She squealed with delight, "Look Mommy! A Nativity! Aw, look at the baby Jesus!" The three crowded around and examined the whole grouping while her mother retold them the Christmas story.
I really don't know if the family was religious or not, but the point is, Jesus's story was being told. What other super popular holiday does that?
I must admit however, there is one thing I don't like about Christmas. That thing is the greediness.
No, I'm not talking about both adults and children wanting presents. I'm talking about people not wanting to give presents.
I think what set me off was probably the millionth promoted article I've seen that explained how to buy "cheap" presents for others. This begs the question, why should people want to buy cheap presents? Obvious answer of course: because people are short on cash. Yeah. Really? I doubt it. I know very few people who are truly honestly suffering because of the economy or a small income.
See, I've noticed that the people who complain the loudest about having the least amount of money are usually the ones spending the most on themselves. They really do have a basically equal amount of value as the rest of us, but it is just in a different form that they stopped appreciating because they already want the next thing.
I'm not saying being wise with money is a bad idea. Wasting money to buy tons of really invaluable presents for people who don't even want them isn't what I'm promoting. I'm just questioning why we feel the need to buy less expensive things for others while we're willing to splurge on ourselves.
Gift giving has gotten a bad reputation lately. Critics have accused it as an action that promotes materialism. I suggest that not giving gifts promotes personal materialism in the name of concern for other's wellbeing.
Honestly, I buy a lot for myself but I can't remember what the last thing I bought for myself. I just know it was probably overpriced and meant I didn't have the money to give something to someone else instead. So I wasted that which could have gone to others on something I can't remember that I mostly likely didn't need.
I have to ask, why worry so much about trying to get "affordable" gifts for a loved one when you could be getting excited about how to best personalize, pick out, and/or buy something for that person? Simply spend less on yourself and more on others.
Back to the materialism thing. Ok, I understand. We in America don't really "need" anything. Well then, spend less money on yourself, spend less money on your rich friends, and more money here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/gift_catalog?pc=013710
1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?"
