Into the Fire

Those of you who visit here know all about the greatest gift: Jesus Christ. Even the most loving parent on earth has trouble setting aside his own preservation of sanity and wits in the process of parenting to “give it all” for their kids. We all know parents who try to give everything to their children, never saying no to them, and in that practice create monsters most of us can’t bear to be around. Other parents demonstrate the pendulum swing to the other extreme and dole out affection as if it has to be earned, creating children who are needy and eventually resentful. Somewhere in the middle most of us struggle along with our imperfections and inabilities and plead for God’s wisdom to be evident in how we raise our children.

Some of us spot our own tendencies pretty quickly in our offspring, muttering to ourselves at times, “Oh, you’re just like your father/mother.” When we see our strengths, which may be few in our estimations, erupt from our children unexpectedly, the relief we feel might only be overshadowed by our pride. Thank God He was able to use something in me to pass on! It’s all somewhat laughable since He knits us together in our mothers’ wombs able to circumvent the fall of man and give us something positive and making us redeemable in the process.

Christmas often puts too many of us in a scrambled mode of gift shopping, knowing in our hearts the season is hugely more meaningful than finding the perfect gifts for family, friends, and relatives we only see once a year but have drawn their names from the assigned “hat”. We tend to enjoy the season more when we are able to buy those gifts we want to buy and not have to shop with strife because the money is tight. Some family members are bold enough to admit they are not in a position to participate in a lot of gift exchanging while others feel guilty for being obligated to purchase something they really can’t afford.

Christians face these same “problems” with the holiday of Christmas. A lot of the shopping fiasco can be minimized if the extended families are believers. Straight talk lays claim to, “We just can’t do it this year.” Being together for Christmas dinner or a pre/post Christmas gathering where everyone brings something to eat becomes the new focus with less stress.

It really doesn’t matter if you can or can’t buy a bunch of gifts for Christmas. I know it’s more difficult for some than others. Personally, I’m all about buying the gifts, less about receiving. Finding those gifts (and my list is now very short) which just seem perfect or will get a wonderful surprised smile—yeah, I’m all about that. However, our immediate family knows all about the ups and downs of finances, and we all adjust and just enjoy the Reason for the Season and being together.

If you have to make adjustments this year, do it with boldness. Be kind but firm. It’s not about spending money to make someone feel loved. It’s about celebrating the One who is Love. Find the gift in someone and write them a note on a special card telling them how you admire their special gifting. So what if they aren’t impressed? It takes more thought to do this than to go to a store and buy them something which you’ll still be paying for in March. Be straight with them: you can’t afford a material gift this year so you’re giving them a gift from your heart to theirs. If they are disappointed or insulted, you probably won’t have to buy anything for them next year either. Why would you?

I’ve been in both situations: able to buy and not able to buy but felt obligated. Why ruin Christmas by making it about buying? Why not make it about giving?

Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world came to be God with us. Hallelujah! Don’t let anyone take away the joy of Jesus. Do whatever it takes to keep Him in the forefront of this beautiful season.

Father, what a wonderful time of year. Jesus, we don’t know the exact day you came to earth or when exactly you will return, but we celebrate your birth because we love you and are so grateful that you came to rescue us! Holy Spirit, I pray you would use this time of year to draw hearts to Jesus, to bring them to the One who can give them the greatest gift they will ever receive. Please, Lord God Almighty, save souls this Christmas and use us somehow in the process. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.