A New Kind of Christmas

I enter this season each year and have to wonder what it is all about. The fast rush to the early morning sales of "Black Friday". Fighting in the aisles to be the first to get the "best gift". The marketing that has created the monsters that we have become.

What is it that we are fighting over...Playstation 3's, iPods, barbie dolls and board games. All of course necessities to the everyday life we live. REALLY?? Is this how selfish we have become?

Last night I was blessed with endless conversation with a man I greatly admire (my dad). At one point in the conversation he expressed feeling guilty for considering spending money this year by helping a family in need, rather than giving gifts to those he would usually spend his money on. He was afraid that this type of giving would devalue his relationships to those he loves most. Selah

Have we become so dissillusioned that our relationships depend upon the material things that we purchase for one another? Have we become so selfish that our material WANTS would drive a wedge in our relationships when another wants to provided a greater NEED for someone else? You've seen the comedies depicting the ungrateful recipients of a Christmas card baring the words "A gift of $50 was made in your name to Thus and Such Organization". I am not without guilt here, but wow...REALLY? Is this how we live? Have we devalues relationships to the point that material matters? Selah

This grieves me. It grieves me that I have been a partaker in it. It grieves me that we have minimalized relationships to what we can receive from others, rather than what we can give. It grieves me that we have become so hardened towards the NEEDS of others.

I say we, because I am a part of it...but I want something better. I want relationships dependent upon care demonstrated and love shown in ways we have been afraid of before. I want underpriviledged to see that they are not undervalued. I want love to be demonstrated in a profound way.

So this year, I propose a different kind of Christmas. With headlines of War and Poverty, AIDS and Desperation, rethink this Christmas season and make a difference. A difference that could stimulate a world of change. The kind that would put a smile on Jesus' face (this is his birthday and all). This year, take time to evaluate your usual Christmas spending, take time to evaluate those you value most. Take time to celebrate a different kind of Christmas.

"Then the King [Jesus] will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

~ Matthew 25:34-40 ~














Organizations to look into:
National

Local list and specific sites:
Harvesters
KC Rescue Mission
City Union Mission
Camp Barnabas
Hope House
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Habitat for Humanity