Here we are...17 days before Christmas and I've been meaning to write about this subject for a while now so figure I better get to it before I forget for another year.
Christmas 2005: after surveying the leftover wrapping, watching our eldest quickly move from toy to-soon-abandoned toy, and having a sense of dread (second child was going to be born in 5 days) of Christmases to come; my husband and I made a decision. We decided on 3 gifts per child (little did we know what a fantastically liberating idea). We decided this for two reasons: 1. financially it was INSANE to try and "out-do" last year and 2: we wanted to re-focus on WHY we celebrate Christmas. So now the children get 1 gift they really want, 1 gift they really need and 1 gift the whole family can enjoy together.
Now why am I mentioning this? Because I am AMAZED at how many people who find out this is what we do (3 present rule) think this is a great idea. I'm not amazed by the fact they think it is a great idea, but that these same people are scurrying for boatloads of presents the following years. See, this is where an idea and its implementation fall apart.
I can only assume it is because of guilt. Here's what I mean: one Christmas when our second child was little we opted not to put up a tree so we wouldn't have to worry about broken ornaments, pine needles in little knees or feet or having the whole tree pulled down. I felt SO guilty. But why? Christmas still came. The children still saw their relatives. We still enjoyed the holidays. Yet in society we see images of Christmas and how Christmas "should" be so when it is "less than" we feel guilty. So people put up trees, buy loads of presents, deck the halls with enough lights and tinsel to wrap the World in gaudiness for years. For what?!
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to be a "Scrooge" and poo-poo Christmas. I am saying that so many times you hear during the Christmas season to "Keep the Spirit of Christmas alive all year long". If Christmas were about monetary things then we should all be buying and giving like this once every month. Now doesn't that seem ridiculous? Of course it does! We should decorate everyday in ornaments and ribbon and lights? I think I'd hate red and green by March. Cookies should be baked everyday of the year. Okay...well THAT isn't a bad thing, but you get my point.
For me, Christmas means focusing less on all the gift giving, tree trimming, and the pretty "packaging" and BE better at this whole human thing. To remember that time and kindness with and towards others should be our objective, at Christmas and always. As a Christian I get to focus more on my Savior than seeing things as my salvation. What better way to celebrate it there really?
