Keeping Up With The Joneses

The old saying, “Keeping up with the Joneses” has been around for over 100 years, and to this day its meaning still rings true down to the simplest of things for people. In fact it is the American way of doing things. Our advertisers bombard us with the newest and latest and the must haves, which triggers the lust of the eye and pride. We are soon on our way to “keeping up with Sally our coworker”, we are not going to let her dress better than us. Or our neighbor Sam is not going to have a newer car than mine, and the list goes on. This type of mindset is not productive and in all cases of trying to “keep up with” or “one up someone else” we put ourselves in a prison of sorts. And over the years as I have become an observer of the Church and our society during the Christmas season, I see more and more how we as Believers can be pulled into the mindset of “Keeping up with the Joneses!” So, today I want to talk about “thinking outside the box” of celebrating and enjoying this season.

It is not my intention to tell you what you should do or what you shouldn’t do, but to throw out some ideas to help those of us who are struggling at this time. Contrary to what it looks like, everyone is not happy at this time of year, there are families who might wear a smile, but they are sick at heart because they don’t have the funds to purchase gifts for their kids or put on the lavish holiday celebrations of the past. Every Christmas is the first Christmas for someone to be without a loved one who has passed. Families are missing those who are away fighting in the war, and divorce has separated many. People are living in their cars and shelters, where last time this year this time they had homes with Christmas trees and plenty of presents. This is a time of year when many are suffering silently and it could be someone who is sitting right next to you every Sunday.

All some of us needs is a conversation with another sister who is running down the list of stuff she has bought for her family, what she is planning for Christmas Eve, what kind of cookies she is baking and we are off to the races to keep up and not be out done. But the one big problem with trying to keep up with the Joneses is that we often dig a hole versus shine as the spirit of pride has lead us to believe will be the outcome. We find ourselves in debt, overworked, stressed and frustrated. And with the economy in the state that it is, we might even find ourselves depressed. When you think about it, how can Christians be depressed at this time of year when we are supposed to be celebrating our Saviors birth? Simple, Christmas in so many cases really has nothing to do with celebrating our Saviors birth, even in the Church. So it is time my sisters, to have a renewing of our minds and start thinking outside the box about Christmas and figure out what it really means to us.

If you have young children, this is the best opportunity and time to put the focus on giving to Jesus and a time for family. It is a time to not raise them to expect a lot of gifts, and not allow them to ask for things. And to teach them to be grateful for whatever it is that they might receive. Reserve the privilege of asking for their birthday celebration. Monies as a family can be spent to adopt a mother and her kids or a child at a Women’s Shelter. You can bake cookies and take them to the elderly. If your children are older there is even more that you can do as a family to give and do for those who are in need. And don’t forget to look within your own church home. There are many single moms who struggle everyday just to make it. There are families where dad has lost his job and the family is concerned with trying to keep oil in the tank to heat the house. This can be a time where we stop looking out at all there is to get and start looking around to see who we can bless. Jesus tells us that when we have help the hungry, sick, naked, and imprisoned, we have given to Him.

There is so much to enjoy as a family that cost very little money this time of year. If you live near or in a big city, a day trip downtown promises to be a lot of fun. Driving around in the evening and looking at lights displays delights even the oldest of kids. Baking cookies, making gifts for one another and watching family Christmas movies can be such an enjoyable time. Teaching our kids to wrap gifts for others in need is far greater then teaching them to be concerned with self and what is in it for them.

If your church does not have a Christmas morning service, you can go to a missions and share with the people there. We often forget that the Salvation Army (which does so much for people all year long) is a place that could use the help of the Saints. So if you are not sure where to volunteer, you can start with them.

You don’t need a lot of money to enjoy the holidays. All you need is a heart that is not caught up in the traditions of this world, but one that wants to bring something to Jesus and let His light shine through us in the form of love and concern for others.

I pray that maybe I have lifted the spirits of those who were down because you can’t do the big Christmas, and for those of you who have become disillusioned with the greed and commercialism of Christmas a solution to finding joy in this season. And for those of us who are holding tight to our old traditions, well maybe a seed has been planted so that next year, it won’t be so much about the old, but maybe more about Christ.



Love & Hugs
Ponnie

Wednesday's Blog: "Encouragement for Single Women!"