No gifts for Christmas

Originally Posted by angelofthelord

(Isaiah 41:17, James 2:5)

It is very sad to read the local paper every morning as I open the business
page to read about another company laying off thousands of people. While it
is only a number in a story to most, the fact is each number is a very real
life, with a very real family, that will probably be facing very real
financial issues because of losing his/her job. While there is never a good
time to lose your job, it is especially difficult at this time of year.

We are expected to buy gifts for our family and close friends. We are
expected to decorate our homes. We are expected to attend various parties
and events. All of these require EXTRA MONEY, over and above our
normal monthly living expenses. This time of year that is supposed to be
personified in the word JOY, it quickly becomes a nightmare for many who
simply
don't have the money to do all, they feel they are expected to do.

Christmas is NOT about gifts. Christmas is NOT about decorating your
house. Christmas is NOT about parties. Christmas is the day each
year that we set aside to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. It is HIS birthday. THAT is what Christmas is all
about, celebrating the birth of our Lord.

Of course, it is impossible to deny the gross commercialism that marks this
time of the year. But we do have choices. We CHOOSE to get caught up in
how
the world celebrates Christmas. I have yet to read a news account of
someone that was forced at gunpoint to go to the local shopping mall and
spend thousands of dollars on presents. I realize that if you have
children, being able to provide them presents on Christmas morning is
important.

However, what is MORE important is making them aware of what
Christmas is
really about. The greatest gift that you can give your children this
Christmas is NOT some toy that they will forget about in a month. The
greatest gift that you can give your children this Christmas is the
knowledge of what this blessed day is really about...the birth of our
Savior!

Some practical ways that you can do this is by attending some of the
fabulous Christmas pageants many churches now put on. In many cities, some
of the larger churches put on incredible, professionally produced Christmas
programs that do a marvelous job of telling the story of Christ's birth.
Taking your children to see these great productions will be fun and help
them understand the true meaning of Christmas. Another great thing to do
with your children is to teach them that Christmas is NOT about getting
presents, but about giving to others. Getting them involved in helping to
prepare a bag of groceries that you give to a ministry feeding the homeless
is a very easy way to help them learn the blessing of giving.

Within your own home, sitting down with the entire family and reading the
Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, spending time as a family in prayer
thanking God for the wonderful gift that He gave this world that first
Christmas, all help your children learn that Christmas is the time we set
aside each year to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. YOUR CHILDREN WILL
CARRY THESE MEMORIES, AND THE REAL REASON OF CHRISTMAS WITH THEM FOR THE
REST OF THEIR LIFE!

My heart breaks as I read about those who have lost their jobs this
past year, knowing the financial hardship that will be on them and
their family. It becomes magnified at this time of the year, because of
the pressure the world has put on us to "participate" in how it celebrates
Christmas.

You don't have to fall into the trap of buying
lots of gifts, or decorating your home, or going to all the parties. Those
things are NOT what Christmas is about. The true peace of this season, the
true joy of this season, comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus. HE is
the reason for the season. The greatest gift that you can give someone this
Christmas is to share with them the REAL meaning of Christmas. The greatest
gift you can receive this Christmas, was given over 2000 years ago when God
gave you His son Jesus!!!