What does Christmas mean? Spend, Spend, Spend???
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were asked to create prayer experience stations for a worship service that focused on caring for God’s creation. Part of the experience was a good reminder of things I know, and part was a new learning experience of ecology facts I wasn’t aware of (like if everyone on the planet lived like we do in the U.S., it would take 4 Earths to supply all the resources).
As we draw closer to our Savior’s Birthday, this thought of recycling and caring for the earth, is feeding a growing unrest in my heart with Christmas. We are all aware of how our culture drives us to spend, spend, spend in buying presents for your loved-ones. Our extended families have fought this trend by drawing names and buying presents for just that person, instead of for everyone. To help facilitate this, everyone is supposed to make a list of what they want for Christmas. I’ve been non-cooperative. Making lists of what you want just doesn’t feel right. What ever happened to, “Because I love you, I want to know you. Because I know you, I will know how to bless you.”?
What is the best way to celebrate our Savior’s birth? Is it in buying lots of stuff? Recently I ran across the following 
. This comes from the website: www.buynothingChristmas.org.
There are several more posters like this available to download for free.
This poster has fueled my discontent for our current celebration for Christmas. Some emergent churches are also apparently discontent. One in San Diego has used this image to advertise their messages: Advent Conspiracy. Dan Kimball is preaching a similar sermon series this Advent at his church in Santa Cruz, CA.
So, how can we best celebrate our Savior’s birth? Is spending less and giving more the proper way? Is spending more time with friends and family and less time running around shopping a better way? (Shopping less doesn’t just save money, it can reduce the amount of resources used to make stuff in addition to saving all the carbon dioxide your car produces as your drive around.) What about shopping at your local thrift shop as one way to recycle when you purchase gifts? I’m sure the Salvation Army or Goodwill can use your money more than the big box stores that we shop at.
How do you celebrate Christmas? What’s most meaningful for you at this time?
Blessings to you as you prepare for Christmas!
Jeff
07 Dec 2007 Jeff Glass
Hey Jeff,
I am with you on this one! Can’t seem to get my wife to join me or the rest of the family… they are with me somewhat, but love to buy gifts for others.
Some things we are doing though… is we hosted an alternative christmas gift market this year and took in $950 for Heifer International. And we raised nearly $4,000 of a commitment to send a Guatemalan youth to High School in the community where we have two young adult BVSers (Brethren Volunteer Service). To do that, we sold coffee and weavings from that community.
For the past few years, I have been impressed with what Mike Slaughter is doing with his church, Ginhamsburg United Methodist in Tipp City Ohio. They have given hundreds of thousands away to some work they are doing in Sudan. They encourage their folks to give a special offering that equals what they would spend on Christmas. It has made a huge impact on that congregation and on the community they are working in in Sudan.
Hey Martin,
Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on all the fund raising you’re going in supporting others. I went to the blog site of the BVS’ers. Pretty impressive stuff!
Concerning your family. . . we have quite a bit to fight against when it comes to our culture’s understanding of Christmas. Its driven so much by marketing and advertising! How can the church over come that? How can the church help its people develop a more spiritual celebration? There are several organizations, like buynothingchristmas.org that we can get inspiration from. Often the group that publishes, “Whose Birthday is it Anyway?”, has its annual magazine promoted amongst the CoB.
BTW, I’m not opposed to buying gifts. Not at all! But what’s the meaning and purpose for what’s purchased and given? That’s the question that I wrestle with!
Blessings to you,
Jeff
Actually, I am not opposed to buying gifts either!
I really like the way Mike Slaughter looks at it at Ginghamsburg. He says, buy each other gifts on YOUR birthday, but buy JESUS gifts on his! I like that perspective alot. But boy is it hard to fight the cultural tide on that one… though Mike is doing that… I highly recommend his current series at Ginghamsburg.
Here is a great link to Shane Claiborne’s blog on Jim Wall’s website God’s Politics….
HI Martin,
Thank you so much for the thought to check-out the messages that Mike Slaughter preached at Ginghamsburg! I went there and listen to his first Advent message on “Hope”. It really put into words the feelings that I’ve been wrestling with!
Thanks!
Jeff