As I watch all the marketing strategies in commercials used to get us to buy more stuff for Christmas, I can't help but wish I had tried something different for our traditions when my children were born.
For the Christian, Christmas is and should be ALL about celebrating and recognizing the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Yet, it's no secret that we've allowed materialism, commercialism to be the spotlight of the year instead. We've adopted this theory that if there are ...no toys or gifts under a Christmas tree, whether put there by Santa or not, then there can't possibly be a Christmas. We've watched an increasing amount of mainstream cartoons and movies highlight a secular cultural theme "save Christmas" by helping Santa get out of some predicament that would otherwise prevent him from delivering toys to the children of the world. Again, that theory of no Santa, no toys equals no Christmas.
Even with good intentions, Christian ministries and churches resonate the same panic by hosting toy drives. "Help the less fortunate have a Merry Christmas"...Donate toys, choose an angel on a tree, purchasing the requested items on the back. I'm not saying these ministries or acts aren't needed or I'll-intended, it's just that they can easily resonate the same secular theory "no gifts equates no Christmas".
So where does my wish play into all of this? I wish I had considered and recognized all these troubling facets that have taken over this season sooner. As I ponder them, I also try to think of solutions that would work for my family. If I could go back, I would consider making the whole Santa effect of surprise gifts happen for my children's birthday instead of Christmas Day. At the time of their bday, we would have a Saturday where they wake up to a plethora of surprise gifts. I would take the energy, money and intent used for Christmas giving and use it at their birthday, instead.
Come Christmas, the energy, intent and money we use for Christmas morning would be used to provide necessities or a service to a less fortunate family.
For our family, I honestly think it would help keep more focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas.
My thoughts are in no way condemning anyone for how you celebrate. These thoughts solely regard my family and my family alone. I do not in any way project my convictions and thoughts upon any else's traditions or convictions.
My hope is that your family will be truly blessed with celebrating Christ's birth and not worried with what is under your tree on Christmas morning.
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