With less than a month to go, Christmas is bearing down on us with force. It seems like only yesterday it was February. I know I'm not prepared—and as I realised this, I wondered what it means to be prepared for Christmas.
How does Christmas fit into the lives of Christians and non-Christians? And can we justify spending billions of dollars on the day?
Christmas—the non-Christian Way
For many, Christmas is simply about presents. For some it's about getting together with family. But in both these circumstances, there are lots of presents to buy, food to purchase and house cleaning to be done.
While Christmas Day might be fun-filled, it doesn't hold much significance to this group of people. It is simply a day where they give and get presents, eat lots of delicious food and spend time together.
And many families spend hundreds of dollars on presents for each other and for the kids. Most children will get a stocking full of presents and a few big presents. And the adults will give expensive gifts to each, trying to outdo everyone else.
Christmas—the Christian way
Conversely, Christians have a reason for celebrating Christmas. As the day our Saviour was born, we celebrate new life, forgiveness and grace. But even this group of people can get caught up in the hype of the season.
Sure, in the morning we go to church for a thanksgiving service. Some of us might have even gone to a midnight service the night before. We greet each other with 'Merry Christmas' and we sing joyfully of our salvation. Then we go off to the family's house for lunch and give over to the mountain of presents and food available.
And similarly to the non-Christian group, we spend hundreds of dollars on gifts, trying to outdo our family.
A new way to celebrate
Perhaps there is a different way to celebrate. A fun-filled day but one that doesn't have its main emphasis on presents and money. Many people will max out their credit cards during December to buy as many gifts as they can. But I believe it's time to remember what Christmas is truly about.
I'm not going to be a Grinch and say we shouldn't buy presents! Presents are a lovely surprise and a chance to show each other that we care. But what I am against is the excess of money spent, especially by those who can't afford it. Instead of buying several presents or one present of excessive value, find something that is meaningful to the person...and it doesn't matter if the cost is less than $50.
Retail corporations have taken hold of Christmas and encouraged us to spend more and more money. Children are getting so many gifts they barely glance at them as they open them. And adults receive gifts they don't like or don't want, and spend the next few weeks selling them on eBay or taking them back to the store.
Instead of this almost rat-race reaction, if we took a moment to understand who we're buying for and buy something personal to them, we could push out the corporation greed and come back to the main reason for Christmas—love, kindness and togetherness.
Keeping up with the Jones's
Perhaps you're in a situation where you can't spend as much as your family members for Christmas and you often feel cheap or out of place. Don't! Chances are they can't really afford it either. Instead, put your effort into personalised or even home-made gifts people will really enjoy.
If someone mentions your lack of extravagance, remind them what Christmas is truly about. Give praise to Jesus for his love and kindness when you receive and give a gift. Think about the gift that God has given us.
Maybe you could be the champion to change your Christmas traditions. Suggest to the family you engage in Secret Santa instead of buying for everyone. Chances are the others will be grateful but didn't want to mention it themselves.
A final thought
Just as you don't want to let consumerism take over Christmas, don't let formalities take over it either. Enjoy the holiday. Enjoy spending time with friends and family, treating yourself to good food. Jesus didn't want us to mourn—he wanted us to celebrate him.
So go to bed on Christmas Eve buzzing with anticipation. Sing loud and proud at church giving praise to God. And share the true joy of Christmas with everyone you celebrate with. You might bring meaning back into their Christmas.
Emma is a full-time admin worker with a passion for Christ and an interest in reading, writing and music.
Emma Seabrook's previous articles may be viewed athttp://www.pressserviceinternational.org/emma-seabrook.html