I had to chuckle when I came across this quote:
“Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.”
~ Author Unknown
This is not a profound spiritual observation; however, it is a call to rational reasoning that oftentimes eludes many a decision-maker during the holiday shopping frenzy. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to spend more money than we have to fully participate in the Christmas experience.
Christmas is about the coming of Christ. It’s about honoring the Christ within ourselves and others. It’s not about spending money and buying gifts that we can’t afford.
So, don’t feel obligated to blow your budget this Christmas season, only to suffer debt withdrawal afterward. Apply some healthy spiritual sense to your decision-making, and spend what you can afford.
The most important gift you give will be the love coming from God that you share. That’s what family and friends will remember.
Very good day dear Evan and SV group. The message of today is very interesting. What I see in general lines for Christmas are two things: that people spend, as you say, what they do not have to buy gifts and secondly that there are many people who celebrate automatically, that is without being aware of the profound meaning of Christmas. Many people meet, disguise eating, drinking, giving away, and that is what is celebrated. If we were aware of that, the gift would be secondary and we would not get indebted for gifts, which is secondary. Blessings to all and excellent 2018 !!!
Yes, it is really interesting today, dear Evan, what Gustavo says.
But for me the question comes up “why do people spend so much money for the presents, that they purse is empty to the bottom at the end.”
Either they want to look good to that person to which they want to give the present, or they really try to make that person happy. But thats just only materially and not neccessary to that extent, as we all know.
Thank you Evan, for your last so true and wonderful sentence!
Several years ago we agreed with family and friends a ‘no presents’ policy for Christmas. It was much easier to arrange than we had thought possible, and no one was offended at the idea as we had feared, in fact most welcomed it. It now means we can concentrate on the meaning of Christmas instead of frantic gift-buying. It is very freeing, and we can still express love and appreciation to those we love without giving (sometimes unwanted, no matter how well intentioned) expensive gifts. Maybe it wouldn’t work for everyone, but we love our simpler, holier Christmas. Thank you Evan, for raising this topic 🙂
yes, thank you MB. Thats what my family does, too. We do not buy presents for each other, but merely give our friendlyness and love to each other.
My family limits the gift giving only to children, and mine are just a token of my love (well within my budget). Their joy adds to my joy.
Thank you for your blog, Evan. We simplified and put a $ limit on our usual Christmas gift-giving this year. It gave us more time to focus on the REAL meaning of Christmas and made the season less pressured and more enjoyable. It should be about “peace, good will toward men,” and NOT a shopping frenzy.
Evan,
“Christmas is about the coming of Christ. It’s about honoring the Christ within ourselves and others. It’s not about spending money and buying gifts that we can’t afford.”.
This is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year, unlike that Christmas sweater or widget that soon finds itself at Goodwill. Finding Truth and Love in yourself and others, living in the consciousness of Love, reflecting that Love. This blesses each of us and all mankind and all life of every definition which God is thinking. Thank you Evan! 🙂
Great post, Evan!! This year I made Christmas stockings for my daughters’ husbands to match my daughters’ childhood stockings. I then cut out a dozen hearts from pretty paper for each one in the family and each one had 14 paper hearts. , I wrote down reasons why I love, admire, or appreciate them. I filled small jars with the notes and their favorite little chocolates. I thought they’d get a chuckle out of it- but what they gave back were tears at being recognized and appreciated ( daughters were included) cost? Less than $50 but priceless!!!
I like your idea Patty! 🙂
Thank you Patty, this sounds like a winning solution next Christmas.
What a lovely idea, Patty. Ty Evan. As always, food for thought
Shirley
Thanks Evan for the very lovely post and words of wisdom. You are so absolutely correct in mentioning that the gift of love for Christmas is the most precious and truly worthy gift. No other gift could be better than the gift of loving and forgiving. Christ Jesus too would approve of this gift of love more than any other gift for His birthday. So why not go for it and save the stress of going overboard with buying material gifts which are here today and gone tomorrow.
Secondly a gift can be forgotten but the love and warmth expressed, fills the heart with happiness and stays forever.