We have to admit that the Holiday Season of today is quite a contrast compared to the first Christmas in Bethlehem. How many of us (myself included) will spend hundreds of dollars on family and friends who are already some of the 25% wealthiest people in the world today? Is this really the way Christ wants us to celebrate the tranquil manager scene that welcomed Christ into the world over 2,000 years ago?
If you read the news, you have heard that we are losing the battle to display nativity scenes in public places. Could the reason that we are losing this public battle be the result of losing the most important private battle of all? Have we as followers of Jesus Christ lost the battle of keeping the focus of Christmas on the throne of the most private place in our lives; our heart?
What can we do as believers to keep our focus on Christ this Christmas? There are poor, homeless, unemployed and very lonely people in our society that would probably appreciate a $5 gift more than someone in our family would appreciate an extra $5 on the already "over the top" gifts they will receive.
There are many other ways we can keep the focus of Christmas on Christ in our families. Here are just a few:
1. Set a budget for Christmas gifts and stick to it
2. On Christmas morning sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus"
3. Make sure your Christmas Cards reflect the reason for the season
4. Make it a point to say "Merry Christmas" and not Happy Holidays"
5. Before you open gifts on Christmas, read the Christmas story from Luke
6. Include in your Christmas letter an understanding of what Christmas is about
7. Use Christmas decorations that reflect the birth of Christ and not just snowmen and Santa Claus
Larry Burkett (cofounder of Crown Financial Ministries) said "We give a myriad of useless gifts at Christmas because it's expected of us, and we feel guilty if we don't. The commercialized world now makes a $100 toy for kids seem perfectly normal. The practice of giving gifts is not the problem, just as the use of credit is not the problem. It is the misuse of these things that entangles us and diverts attention from Jesus Christ to material things."
And even more important that what Larry Burkett said is what Paul said: "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4)
What are some of the ways that you are keeping the focus of Christmas on Christ?
Monday, December 8, 2008
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2 comments:
We do not give ONE gift out for the idea of must give at CHristmas time. We sing praises to Jesus, just like every day of the year! Our extended family had acepted that we do not give gifts out to each other. At first they were SHOCKED and did NOT like it one bit. We were called many names for not doing so. Our children have always accepted that we do not do what everyone else is doing, and understnad the reason for us not commercializing Christams Day. Many years ago our family went into debt each year for gifts for extended family, including our oun. We never really had the money to spend. We felt so much pressure to buy gifts that we paid off debt until the next holidays season, just to start the process again. The stress what tremendous to pay off the debt while trying to feed our family throughout the year. Then we took a hard look at what the Bible said about celebrating Jesus birthday, and we did not understand why everyone was getting a gift except for Jesus, why we were going into debt each year etc. etc. The Bible expects us not to be in debt to anyone. We also bought Larry Burkett's Crown Money Map. Then we decided that we would not give gifts and put things on a credit card that we really don't have to spend. We give to the poor throughout the year, and help those in need as much as God provides. We have no pressure whatsoever now that we decided not to spend, spend, spend on gifts at the Dec. Holidays. We give from our heart all throughout the year and are so blessed by doing so. That is how we keep focus on Jesus:) Angie C. from the campground
Thanks for the reminder. We all tend to loose sight of this.
Lee @ Crown
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