For the past few years, I've read a lot of books, posts, blogs and even a recent Real Simple article about minimalism, gratitude and a no-present-mentality at Christmas. People don't like American Girl dolls or opening gifts before church or Black Friday. There seems to be a "right" number of presents to get your kids. No one agrees though. Is it 2? One for each year old they are? 20 (as long as they are books)? Maybe you shouldn't get them gifts at all. Go in as a family and buy a goat for some family in a third world country.
Let me tell you. I've done the research. Moving to a developing country doesn't fix it. My kids still want candy for breakfast, an iPad for Christmas and have the occasional meltdown when "life is not fair". And I'm not much better. We are consumed with materialism: stuff and our love for it.
Because...materialism is not an American thing. It's sin.
Well, that puts a damper on Christmas doesn't it? But let's call it what it is. And when we can see sin in our kids and in us, we can actually fight it. You can put up a good fight by limiting presents, making your kids write thank-you cards, giving things away and probably steering clear of toy stores. But, fighting is only successful when you are stronger (or wiser, or more resourceful) than your opponent. And, we are not.
We cannot move away from sin, because it lives deep in our hearts and the hearts of those around us. We cannot starve sin, because it feeds on our desires, not presents. We cannot replace sin (with gratitude, for example) because the "Thank you" will not be from our hearts. We cannot fight sin in our own strength. That's what we have to teach our kids. That's what we have to preach to ourselves. We are not strong enough, smart enough, good enough, thankful enough or far enough away. Materialism lives in our hearts.
We are getting our kids (a few) Christmas presents. I'm not even sure if we'll count them. They will write...er, color...thank you notes. I hope they enjoy the gifts. I hope they are grateful. And I pray that they feel that pull of materialism in their hearts. I pray they feel at least a little bit helpless in the fight. And I pray we don't fight the battle totally for them. I pray we point them to Jesus; not just the "reason for the season", but our victor. The one who fights for us, who conquered sin...even the meltdown-in-the-middle-of-the-store kind...the one who will cultivate gratitude, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in us.
Maybe next year we'll buy a goat for the family down the street. And still we'll teach them the gospel: every Christmas, every day.
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