It’s less than a month until Christmas Day. Every year, I go on a trip with my husband’s family. His mom, sisters and cousins do Christmas shopping and get a few gifts.
As Christmas music played over the speakers in the department store, I stood in line behind a woman who looked to be seventy. It was hard to tell her age because all her teeth were missing except one. Her hair was unkempt and swept into a messy bun.
She turned around and started talking to me. We had a wonderful conversation about our grandchildren. Her cart was full of toys for Christmas. She said she wanted to buy more but would wait until her next paycheck.
My heart sank. The sweet lady was using most of her paycheck for Christmas. This month would set her way back. I knew that whatever she had bought her grandkids, would be sitting in a corner collecting dust a few months from now. She would feel the financial burden for a long time.
I often wonder how we got swept into the commercialism of Christmas and strayed so far from the humble manger and the Saviour born for us.
Does the holiday cause you significant stress from the massive shopping required to keep us with friends or neighbours?
I grew up with very simple Christmases: two presents and a turkey dinner made for a beautiful holiday. All of my friends had much more extravagant holidays. You’d think I would have given my kids lavish holidays because I missed out. Instead, I decided to keep with the traditions I grew up with.
Sister, I promise you the Christmas we know today looks nothing like the one from thousands of years ago.
If you are on a tight budget and feeling guilty because your kids are getting very little this year, know that those feelings are not from God. What Jesus gave us on Christmas Day when He came cannot be bought or wrapped under a tree.
When you love your children and teach them about Jesus, you give them a gift many kids don’t receive.
The holiday can still be beautiful on a shoestring budget. In the moment, your kids may be disappointed, but in the long run, they will remember the Christmas PEACE, JOY and LOVE filled your home.
Get out the cookies and hot chocolate, read them the Christmas story, open a present or two and play some games. Make memories and share why you are thankful for Jesus’s birth.
There is so much about Christmas we can pass down from generation to generation, and presents will be the least significant. Make memories that last a lifetime, and remember to center the day around Jesus.
Dear Lord, help us to make Christmas about you and the gifts you brought us. Remind us of your sacrifice and the richness you blessed us with; bring us JOY even if Christmas is humble. Thank you for giving your life for us. We love you!
If you are looking for a meaningful gift this Christmas, my new book, Suitcases from Heaven is available here: Suitcases from Heaven
