Practically everyone I know goes into a shopping frenzy this time of year. I hate it.
Having grown up in a household where Christmas was celebrated as a truly holy day, it bothers me to see that too many people today rush to give their children expensive gifts but don't have time to tell them what Christmas really means. Too many make time to shop till they drop but, somehow, can't find time to attend one single church service or read the real Christmas story from the Bible........if they have a Bible. The closest that many children ever come is hearing it from the TV show, "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
Fueled by the incessant ads on TV, Christmas has become a time for retailers to milk as much money as possible from a public that willingly goes along. And, although I resist it, I must admit that I fall into the same trap all too often. I hate it.
I was recently reminded of one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever received. This gift has sat in my closet every spring and summer for at least forty years. It comes to light every fall when my wardrobe turns from light pastel colors to darker greens and browns.
Pictured above is a handbag that my sister-in-law, Vicky, made for me all those years ago. She will be surprised to learn that I still use and treasure it. Lovingly pieced from little scraps of leather, planned so that everything fits perfectly inside and with an outside pocket to hold things like grocery lists and a list of books I want to read, it was the perfect gift – handmade with love. It was a gift from the heart; one that typifies what the holiday season should mean to all of us.
I long for the time when Christmas meant memorizing scriptures, poems and special songs for the Christmas program at church and Christmas dinner with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I long for the time when Christmas meant one or two gifts from the heart, lovingly handmade, or maybe a book. I long for the time when Christmas meant something more than shopping and decorating.
Last night I saw TV images of people sleeping all night in the cold so they could be first in line to buy Christmas gifts at the perceived lowest prices of the season. I wonder how many of them would sleep all night in the cold to get in the door of a church on Christmas day? How many will explain to their children what Christmas is all about? Not many. I hate it.
