Christmas is a week away, you know that magical day where the kids wake up all excited. Run into the living room, to see all the gifts that magically appeared under the tree. With squeals of joy and smiling parents....you know the story. They are so happy they love love love everything. Yet less then 48 hours later most gifts are left un- touched and in the way. But man those few minutes were so much fun...
It's Christmas. Expectations for parents are high. No one wants thier child to feel left out. Media and advertisment play into this fear and tell you they have all the answers just buy XYZ. You NEED XYZ. Family members and Friends are watching...and suddenly the joy of the season is gone.
I can't tell you how many conversations I've had in the last few weeks (since Thanksgiving really) about how stressed someone is, or how they already have too much stuff and are dreading the influx coming. Or saddest yet how they just want Christmas to be over already so things can settle back down. It's safe to say this season is overwhelming. That's not even touching on the fact some are grieving this season, some are hurting...
I'm there to but as a environmently consious minimalist mom it's even more because well I'm in the minority. Most people think I'm a quack. Let me tell you though. My house is clean, my gifts are wrapped and under the tree.(5 of them to be exact) I've not gone further in debt. infact we've paid off a couple hundred extra this month. I'm looking forward to a chill weekend. I've learned to listen to myself and had to turn down invites to parties. I'm excited to give the gifts to my necies and daughter because they are full of thought and love. (My ideas on gift giving have changed drasticly in the past year. That will be a seperate post). Mostly I'm so excited to spend Christmas with my family. To celebrate Jesus. To love people, not things.
Its tough being a mom, and you are not me...and my life style isn't yours I got that. But we all want our children to know the true meaning of Christmas and what better way to teach that then to model it? I was a preschool teacher...regardless of advent calenders, church services, or everyday Bible time..the children were still way more excited for presents and not the love that came down. Consumerism...Somehow within our 4 walls, and each in our own way we need to cut out the excess noise of the season. We need to prepare our hearts for Jesus and if we get so consumed in everything we think we HAVE to do and HAVE to buy it wont happen. Our kids are watching always watching. The joy starts with you. carve out the time even 5 min with God and see where it takes you.
- we don't NEED more stuff
- we don't NEED more time in a day
We just need to shift our priorities
We just need Jesus
Love people, not things. There is so much magic in this season, hug your children, Love is magic. Toys will be forgotten rather quickly, but Gods Love, Gods Gift, Gods Power...that is forever. Less is More. So mom, no matter what your kids open Christmas morning it's the love and joy that makes it special. Take a deep breath. Take ahold of Gods gift of Peace and enjoy the season.
Merry Christmas.
The grearest gift of all is Love
1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
