I have always enjoyed a loaded Christmas Tree. Our family does not buy a lot for each other throughout the year. We have always been more extravagant at Christmas.
Until recently, I didn't feel guilty about that. It was just fun at our house on Christmas morning. But then along came a fellow Christian who bragged that they always gave more to a Christmas Missions Offering than they spent on Christmas gifts. "Commendable," I thought, "but does this mean that I should?" Just today I read an article about pastors instructing their parishioners to be less materialistic at Christmas. I certainly don't disagree, but does a "loaded tree" make me materialistic? I am sure that many would answer with a resounding "yes." I guess you will have to make up your own mind.
Frankly, the call to be less materialistic is valid here in the United States year round. And I suppose that it is a malady particularly prevalent at Christmas. But I resent the implication that sometimes comes across that if we enjoy Christmas gift-giving and receiving that somehow makes us less spiritual than others. Diane and I share our resources throughout the year. In addition to regular and extravagant giving to the ministry of our church, we support many other worthwhile activities regularly, not just at Christmastime. All that amounts to many times more than we spend on Christmas gifts. At Christmastime, we participate in activities to the disadvantaged and support other organizations that do the same. I will be serving at NoonDay Ministries in Albuquerque on December 16 as a case in point. But we still will have a "loaded Christmas tree" for which we have saved throughout the year. Call me materialistic if you want, but I disagree.
We forget that the first thing for us in Christianity is not giving, but receiving. God gave first. John 3:16 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. We respond to His gift by receiving it (Or Him). You cannot give your way to being a Christian. The first step in Christianity is receiving "God's Gift"--the gift of His Son and life through Him. The truth is, our "loaded tree" is infinitesimal compared to the "loaded tree" that Jesus "decorated" with His blood 2000 years ago. That tree is loaded with life. I pray that if you have not done so already that you open that gift this Christmas with deep and abiding gratitude. Then give gifts and receive gifts this Christmas with equal gratitude for all the things that God gives us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).
2 comments:
Phew..I was worried by the sound of this post at the beginning that our tree wouldn't be loaded this year. Glad to hear it still will be. Is that materialistic of me? :) I'M JUST KIDDING!!! :)
I will not judge you by the amount of Christmas gifts under the tree, especially if those gifts are from you under my tree!
Actually, Reba and I trying to promote responsibility this year. While we love getting and receiving - I mean giving and receiving! - we have thought about what we actually love about Christmas and are going to give those to each other as gifts this year.
Mostly, that's family time that we are able to spend together. Secondly, we love decorating. So we made it a point to get stuff up early this year and we are going out to cut our tree, drink hot chocolate (actually watch Zion sip hers while we drink water)and listen to Christmas music! Lastly, relax and play. We are simply going to try and relax, play some games and play with Zion. So, while our tree won't exactly be full we are really going to try and have a very memorable Christmas.
Hopefully, not too memorable. No one likes having their birthday overshadowed by someone slightly more important.
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