“Did you spend your
Christmas money yet?” I asked my 14-year-old grandson.
“No, Nana,” Kodey answered. “I don’t really need anything.
It would really be okay with me if I didn’t get anything for Christmas. It’s
just nice to have time off and to spend it with the family.”
Wow! I haven’t heard that kind of insight from too many
adults, let alone a teenager. It’s a wonderful sentiment—one I wish we could
all adopt, without feeling “guilt-ed” into buying, buying, buying.
It seems God wanted to drive the point home with me. A couple
days later, a customer came into the store where I work and bought a few little
decorations. I asked, “Finishing up your holiday shopping?”
“No, I don’t buy Christmas gifts. As children our father
taught us that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, not ours, so we didn’t receive
gifts. Our family just focused on celebrating Christ’s birth.”
Though I doubt it is a very popular one, her father’s outlook
on the holiday certainly gave me food for thought, especially following on the
heels of Kodey’s comment. What would Christmas be like without all the hoopla
surrounding gift giving?
Store owners would shudder. Most children, and many adults,
would certainly whine and squawk. And yet, perhaps less emphasis on “gifting” would
free us to truly recognize and receive the greatest gift all of us have been
given—God’s gift of salvation through the birth, life, and death of Jesus.
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| photo from crosscards.com |
Dick and I always limited our gifts to three, (in
remembrance of the three gifts Jesus received at His birth) but never tried a
gift-less Christmas. I don’t think I could really go through with it. Have you
ever tried a Christmas without gifts? How did it go? Do you know a family who
doesn’t exchange gifts? How do they celebrate Christ’s birth?
Christmas Blessings!
Pam
©2015 Pamela D. Williams
