Today is the infamous "Black Friday" a day where retailers used to find themselves in the black versus the red. But starting about 10 years ago, in order to try and insure better holiday sales, stores started being open on Thanksgiving Day and as early as 7am on Black Friday. Over the past few years I have watched as the openings became as early as 6am on Thanksgiving and 5am on Black Friday. But today some stores opened at 4am! And what is more amzaing is the fact that people stared lining up at midnight. Phew, now what has that got to do with the celebration of the birth of our Savior?
At the Walmart in South Philadelphia they needed a police presence to keep the 2,000 or so people (who had lined up for the 5am opening) orderly. At first they were running each other over with shopping carts, until the police brought order. Running to buy flat screen TV's and computers really doesn't seem to do much to enhance the fact that Christ was born so that He could die unless you are buying the flat screen for a shelter for homeless people or a children's home. Same goes for the computers. The truth is, this stuff goes on sale more than once a year and the best buys are not just at Christmas time.
What has happened to us as Believers? Why have we forgotten that a birthday celebration usually mean gifts for the one whose birthday is being celebrated? How much of our budget is spent on giving to Christ as Matthew 25:36-40, tell us. What are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them to think of others and their needs? Or are we teaching them to spend money they don't have? What about adopting the practice of exchanging gifts? By the way, is it still a gift if you exchange tit-for-tat? Are they watching us buy gifts out of obligation because someone gave us something and we feel we have to return the favor? I want you to consider something.....If Jesus should tarry, what will Christmas look like for your children as adults with children of their own based on what they have learned from us? Will it be one where they use this time to bring honor to God by living Matthew 25:36-40, or one where they are so stressed out from being stuck in traditions that are nothing but burdensome?
As a Christian tell me what Christmas really means to you. I want to be inspired by my sisters and brothers. I need to know that the world has not been successful in redefining the meaning of Christmas for us!
Blessings,
Ponnie
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
7 comments:
Ponnie,
Several years ago I stopped giving traditional gifts. Instead I give gifts from Gospel for Asia's website gift catalog. www.gfa.org
You'd be surprised at the response you get. From tears at the thoughtfulness, to anger at the fact that you didn't "at least make something." Want to know how people really feel give them a gift they can't touch, see, smell, or really comprehend. You learn so much in such a short time!
The real meaning of Christmas gifts is the gift that was given over 2000 years ago, Christ birth. The gift given daily, with a clean slate. And the gift yet to come, which is eternal life. Beyond that, we as humans know nothing about gift giving.
Merry Christmas, lets show what we are given daily, forgiveness. It's the best we can offer at this point!
Alisha
This is a test from Ponnie in response to Alisha...testing!!
Ponnie,
My family & I enjoy just being together without the hustle & bustle of the world intruding on us. We go to church & then spend our day together relaxing, watching movies & eating our favorite foods, which we each choose.
Yes, we open a few gifts, but they do not make or break our Christmas. Often times, some are homemade or something really special chosen with love & care. It's that care that creates the right mood in our home. We give to each other because God has so generously given to us.
It's also important to remember to give to others in need, which we enjoy doing as a family. We have many opportunities through our church & we personalize the gifts whenever possible so someone knows we care.
When your heart has the right attitude...your Christmas does too. It takes giving to have a heart ready to receive.
We accepted God's free gift. And we receive His grace continually. Extending that grace to others is the best gift we can give. We all need it! That's what it really means to love one another & that love is what Christmas is all about.
Grace
I appreciate the gift of time. Whatever happened to giving of one's self instead of all this consumerism? After all, Christ gave us the ultimate gift of Himself....
I just think that giving things you make or doing something with/for someone else is much more meaningful. For instance, in 45 years who is going to remember the movies you watched with your family on that big screen TV, but some 45 years after the fact I still cherish the time spent with my grandma making her famous (and my favorite) peanut butter cookies.
Sure, technology is fun, but it doesn't warm the cockles of your heart like the memories of spending time with your loved ones.
Wanna spend something on me? Spend time with me. (why do I hear Harry Chapin singing "Cat's in the Cradle" playing in my mind?)
How do you spell LOVE? I spell it TIME.
Panda
Every year Christmas has a different meaning to me, it all depends on the mood I'm in. I don't spend a lot of money on gifts for my children. They are allowed to pick out 2 or 3 gifts that they would like to have and that's it from me. Christmas is the day set aside to represent the birth of Christ who was sent to fulfill a purpose. This Christmas season I am thinking about purpose. More specifically what is my purpose on this earth?
The Gift of life is more precious then we know or appreciate. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on all he has done. Our children get three gifts a peice from me and my husband. On Christmas day we read the Christmas story and give testimonies on what God has done for us. Then we sing happy birthday around the cake we have baked for Jesus. Of course we get to eat it! LOL. We do not purchase a tree or hang stockings but we decorate for a party! So we create a HUGE Happy Birthday sign and we have ballons and the works. This year we will put up colored lights and a manager scene as per the request of our 16 year old daughter.
Merry Christmas Ladies, May the Peace of God dwell with you this holiday season.
I thank the Lord for the season. because "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" We sometimes put to much emphazis on Christmas that is the world. I don't celebrate it like I use to because I know the real meaning. I give my family that they need, not what they want. I have some that frown, but I tell them that they need to learn what Christmas is about.
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