I love Christmas. I absolutely love it. I love Christmas trees, apple cider, snow, lights, carols, presents, Alabama Christmas on vinyl... I love Christmas.
Christmas is also a time of the year I am forced to face questions that make me uncomfortable.
It's a paradoxical season. At the same time we sing and pray for peace on earth we find ourselves arguing about what greeting to use. We thank God for giving up his very life for us while we make lengthy, expensive Christmas lists. We put up elaborate and costly displays of a simple, even shameful, manger into which a poor family laid Jesus after his birth. We even fill shoe boxes with things like toothbrushes and simple toys for children across the world and then buy our friends and family things that they don't need.
This season, more than any other, draws connections between materialism, prosperity, comfort, and Jesus that He never drew.
Let's take time this year to remember Jesus, who, not considering his "God-ness" something to be used for himself, made himself nothing. He became a servant and surrendered himself to the lowest possible death, that of a cross. Because he was generous to a point that many would call him unwise - even reckless - God raised him to glory. His extreme selflessness was his glory.
This Christmas may we remember the simplicity of the season. It is a season of thankfulness for salvation and generosity to those who do not deserve it. It is a season of the simple joys of life. As we open our presents and finish up our shopping may we each be challenged to look honestly at our lives. May we give radically and selflessly, not only to those who already have more than what they need, but to those who have needs greater than our own. May we not consider our blessings something to be used for our own good, but surrender ourselves for the good of others and the glory of God.
As you shop this year consider companies that choose to do good with their profits.
http://www.toms.com/
https://www.cotopaxi.com/
http://unitedbyblue.com/
http://www.krochetkids.org/
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/
http://www.everythinghappy.com/
and many more
If you're like me, most of these companies look pretty expensive. Here are some other ideas.
Generosity Tip Jar: every time you buy a gift from a company with questionable integrity (basically everywhere) put a dollar (or a percentage) in a jar to donate to a company that does good or a family with greater needs.
Donate Time: There are always people that need help cleaning their house, food that needs to be served, trash that needs to be cleaned up, etc. This year, if money is not something in abundance, choose to be generous with your time. Time is money as they say!
Generous Friendship: One of the greatest needs this time of year is found in people who, for one reason or another, won't be spending time with family this year. Maybe they are elderly and can't get around. Maybe they have been cut off because of bad habits. Maybe they don't have family in the area. Choose to be generous with your friendships and open up your heart and home to someone who needs to experience love this season.
Have a truly blessed holiday season as you choose to be a blessing to those around you.
Christmas is also a time of the year I am forced to face questions that make me uncomfortable.
It's a paradoxical season. At the same time we sing and pray for peace on earth we find ourselves arguing about what greeting to use. We thank God for giving up his very life for us while we make lengthy, expensive Christmas lists. We put up elaborate and costly displays of a simple, even shameful, manger into which a poor family laid Jesus after his birth. We even fill shoe boxes with things like toothbrushes and simple toys for children across the world and then buy our friends and family things that they don't need.
This season, more than any other, draws connections between materialism, prosperity, comfort, and Jesus that He never drew.
Let's take time this year to remember Jesus, who, not considering his "God-ness" something to be used for himself, made himself nothing. He became a servant and surrendered himself to the lowest possible death, that of a cross. Because he was generous to a point that many would call him unwise - even reckless - God raised him to glory. His extreme selflessness was his glory.
This Christmas may we remember the simplicity of the season. It is a season of thankfulness for salvation and generosity to those who do not deserve it. It is a season of the simple joys of life. As we open our presents and finish up our shopping may we each be challenged to look honestly at our lives. May we give radically and selflessly, not only to those who already have more than what they need, but to those who have needs greater than our own. May we not consider our blessings something to be used for our own good, but surrender ourselves for the good of others and the glory of God.
As you shop this year consider companies that choose to do good with their profits.
http://www.toms.com/
https://www.cotopaxi.com/
http://unitedbyblue.com/
http://www.krochetkids.org/
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/
http://www.everythinghappy.com/
and many more
If you're like me, most of these companies look pretty expensive. Here are some other ideas.
Generosity Tip Jar: every time you buy a gift from a company with questionable integrity (basically everywhere) put a dollar (or a percentage) in a jar to donate to a company that does good or a family with greater needs.
Donate Time: There are always people that need help cleaning their house, food that needs to be served, trash that needs to be cleaned up, etc. This year, if money is not something in abundance, choose to be generous with your time. Time is money as they say!
Generous Friendship: One of the greatest needs this time of year is found in people who, for one reason or another, won't be spending time with family this year. Maybe they are elderly and can't get around. Maybe they have been cut off because of bad habits. Maybe they don't have family in the area. Choose to be generous with your friendships and open up your heart and home to someone who needs to experience love this season.
Have a truly blessed holiday season as you choose to be a blessing to those around you.
