As the Christmas season approaches, I am overwhelmed by the amount of commercials that try to convince us that we cannot possibly live without some certain product. Whether it be jewels for a certain someone, or latest toys or video games for our children, somehow our lives are not complete unless we go out and spend a ton of money this holiday season. It seems in order to have the "perfect" Christmas, we must spend an arm and a leg to do so.
But what happens a few days after Christmas? The pretty wrappers are thrown away, the kids invariably enjoyed playing with the boxes more than the expensive toys, and the brand new watch doesn't work and needs to be returned. The sweater Grandma sent is too small, and needs to be exchanged. And we are left feeling empty. Then the credit card bill comes in January, and we are left feeling ever more empty.
Is there a solution to this? In all our quest for the "perfect" Christmas have we missed the point entirely? Are there in fact, gifts that never wear out?
I believe there are. Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 6:19-21). Perhaps our definition of treasure is completely wrong. For what good is treasure if ultimately it will turn to dust? Treasure that turns to garbage is not worth chasing after. It's certainly not worth sacrificing our families and closest relationships for. What good is it for your children to grow up with bedrooms loaded with toys, only to end up with empty, bitter hearts? While you were out chasing everything you thought they wanted, they missed spending time with the only thing they ever really wanted - you.
Perhaps the true treasures of this life are actually in the relationships with family and friends. The Bible says that the only thing that continues on into the next life are relationships; not houses, cars, stereos and that cottage by the lake you've been dreaming of. My husband and I are not rich in the material sense, but I believe we are richer than most for we have love, hope, faith, and contentment. Most people in North America cannot say that. It seems that with all of our many blessings, instead of learning that we are blessed in order to be able to share, we have become all the more fat, selfish and demanding, complaining that our new expensive iphone is too slow. This, while up to a billion people in this world don't even know where their next meal is coming from!
We ignore, abuse and disrespect our parents and grandparents, who after living far longer than we have, have mountains of wisdom they would love to share. But we dismiss them because, my goodness, Mom can barely use email - how could she know anything about life these days? Because though times and technology change, human nature does not. We are all capable of extreme evil and desperately need to be reminded that we are not perfect, neither is anyone else, and that kindness, grace and mercy go a long way in making this life a little better for everyone.
We ignore our children and teenagers because they are too wrapped up in video games or facebook to care about anything else. Perhaps in judging the book by it's cover, maybe spend time with your kids and get to know the real them, not just your perceptions. You may find you have unearthed a hidden treasure or talent you knew nothing about before. There is a good reason why the Bible says that children are a reward. Do yourself a favour and find out why. The office can wait. So can your TV. Didn't you get that new PVR for Christmas, anyway?
I am not against generosity and showing gratitude. I am also aware that these tools can make life and connecting with other people a lot easier. But be careful that you are actually connecting with people, and not the shiny new toys that facilitate it.
