Email“If I only get that – then I’ll really be happy,” she said.
I was amazed. “You don’t really believe that? Do you?”
“Yes, it will make me happy . . .. I know it will.”
This was a conversation I had last week with a child from our church. It reminded me of the spiritual dangers of Christmas. Many children live in a world of lies. Every television commercial is making a promise that it’s product will never keep. Added together, these messages create a worldview with one unshakable foundation: If I can get more stuff, then I’ll be happy.
It’s not just the television that pushes the myth. Family traditions and good intentions also play their part. As a parent, I want to see the thrill in my son’s eyes when he opens his new Transformer. But what is the long term impact? Are we teaching kids that happiness comes in a box?
Stuff Does Not Equal Happiness
We must mark the difference between expressing love and encouraging greed. It’s no easy task and will require much prayer. Christmas can be a wonderful time of giving. We can celebrate God’s unique Christmas gift of Jesus to save this world. When we give to others, we are following His example and expressing love. But our focus on gifts can sometimes turn to greed. This happens when we exchange our joy in relationships for the temporary thrill of getting new things.
Lasting happiness only comes God’s way. He has made us to find real delight in knowing Him and following His ways. We must teach kids to find their joy in God and the relationships He has given them. It goes back to the greatest commandments, love God and love other people.
What Do You Think?
I would like to hear back from you. Do you think toy-worship is a problem for children? What are you doing different this Christmas? What Christmas gifts for kids do you recommend? Join the conversation by leavning a comment below.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with all of you on this issue. My kids are almost all grown now but they still ask for a lot of things for Christmas. And thats on top of the fact that every paycheck i get they ask for things. I understand that until about 4 years ago, we didnt have much, but this year i am going to start a new tradition. They will each get one gift from me, something they really need and want. And, under the tree the biggest gift will read: To:The World From: God, along with the scripture of John 3:16, and maybe they will get the message. We will bake cookies, and candies, and have a lot of family time so maybe they will appreciate the real meaning of Christmas.
I love websites such as this one because it allows parents to
be “in the world” and not of it. Practically speaking, we share in what has become a national tradition of consumerism and yet fight to keep our hearts centered on the truth of Christ. With some effort and intentionality, I think we can enjoy with believers and unbelievers alike, the anticipation and fun activities of the season without becoming lost in it or resorting to such a rigid mindset that we fear it. Christ is central, always. The symbol of giving is important, as we see that the gift of his life is the entire premise for our Salvation. Our family exchanges gifts with the understanding that it is in celebration and just as importantly, we must GIVE outside of ourselves to those in despair. The poor. Christ loved the poor. We set aside the money we would have liked to spend and choose to give it away. The kids love praying and dreaming about who to give to, what to give and then getting it ready for delivery. It took a little while, even for me, to part with that special something I’d been hoping for over the few months lingering before Christmas, but what an amazing impact that act of small sacrifice has. It is now one of the best parts of our Christmas tradition and the kids don’t look at our humble tree and their one gift with disappointment, and neither do I…
Life will be what you make it. Yes we live in a fallen commercialized world and we are called to be separate, but we still live here. We have four children, one older teen, one middle teen, one preteen, and one almost pre teen. In our home we celebrate Christmas joyously. We exchange gifts and look forwards to doing that but that is not our whole focus. From the time the children were small we have used stockings. I chose to use stockings not in reference to Santa Claus but in a well educated reference to ST. Nicolas. Yet we chose not to do this on a separate day. Stockings held candy, fruit, always a toothbrush, lip balm, glitter glue, pens, pencils, you name it. All relatively inexpensive fun items. The children would be able to look at the stockings, feel them (not look in them) in the morning but then they had to be put aside for the more important things. Morning devotions. Christmas tends to be a time when we are more receptive because everywhere we go schools, stores, doctors, etc. everywhere everyone talks about the holidays. Children are very perceptive and are more open too, we just have to direct what they are open to. In our morning devotions for years we read the scriptures of the birth of Jesus and told about the crucifixtion of Jesus at the same time. We never wanted Christmas to become separated from God’s purpose of the birth of Christ. We made cinnamon rolls and baked them in the shape of a Christmas tree to remember that if not for the crucifixtion we would have nothing to partake of. We taught the Christmas tree is the symbol of the everliving Jesus our hope of glory(evergreen), the lights symbolize His truth and the Holy Spirit whom are all throughout the earth. The decorations are the testimonies of the christians present and past who lift Jesus higher so He draws all men unto Himself. The Garland is the hand of the Lord who holds the whole world in His hand and He never slumbers, sleeps, and will not let us go. Over the past week or so each child has prepared something to bring to the table. A song, scripture, picture, story reading , something.. to present to the King of Kings. After these things are done they have a few minutes 15-30 to look at their stocking and then as a family we do something for someone else. We have gone to a nursing home or hospital to sing carols. Visit an elderly person, one year we caroled at all the gas stations, convenience stores that had employees working that day( in our town), another year we baked hundreds of cinnamon buns and delivered them door to door on our street early that morning(half a doz. per house). We do some service to put others first. The teaching has changed to Advent and the twelve days of Christmas and the meaning behind the gifts in the song as our children are older now. Each day there may be a gift, a game, a service for someone,….something that solidifies that days teaching. It’s not always rip roaring fun, yet it is not always solemn either. It can be 15 minutes to some days as long as an hour. We try to let the Lord lead. Now that our children are older we all love to bless each other and all of their shopping has been done for a while already (some are even wrapped) but their focus is still “Jesus what can I do for You on your birthday this year?” You know I am always thankful that it is not reserved for Christmas day, I am humbled every time I see them blessing Him as a way of life all throughiut the year. Thank you for reading this long post not meant to glorify my famiy but to encourage that as long as we keep Christ as our focus we will lift Jesus higher and He will be faithful to His Word and continue to draw all men (our children and selves included) to Himself.
God Bless and Merry Christmas
I would gently like to suggest this isn’t just a seasonal Christmas issue. It is a general year-round family life issue. We typically think about it more at Christmas time because we are more sensitive to the focus on consumerism vs the celebration of Christ’s birth. Yet, I think it will take a lot more than merely shifting focus at Christmas time to help our kids learn the true meaning of both Christmas and year-around life in Christ. It will take nothing less than following the example of Jesus who served self-sacrificially.
christmas is all about giving. we could encourage our kids to identify those who are in need amongst us and minister to their needs. christmas shouldnt be a self-centered celebration. the earlier we teach the children this, the better.
You are so right, we have lost the meaning of Christmas—-it’s not about the gifts we get it’s about the ultimate gift given to anyone who will accept it. I totally believe as christians we have got to put God back into everything we do. If we never teach our kids different from the worldly traditions we follow, how do we expect them to walk and live as God would have us to walk and live. I want this Christmas to be about Christ, my Savior and Lord. I don’t think anything is wrong with gift giving, it just shouldn’t be the main thought of Christmas. Love the idea about the gold, frankincence & myrrh. I think I will use that this year.
i would suggest that the best gift will be to teach a child the importance of God’s love; and eventually given a physical gift to teach them the importance of giving.
thank you.
I just ‘stumbled’ across this blogsite. These observations and questions about Christmas Traditions are interesting. I really like the ‘gold, frankincense, myrrh’ practice. It teaches a lesson- without getting ‘teachy’ on Christmas Day. I think a dollar limit is something to think about too. Though that would have to be adjusted every year, I guess.
I think toy worship really depends on how Christmas has been celebrated in your house in the past. In our house, Christmas is ALL about Christ. We do give gifts, however, we only give three. One represents gold, one frankincense, and one myrrh. Gold is the one thing they really “want” so to speak. Frankincense is something for their spiritual growth and walk with Christ, and myrrh is something for the body…clothes, shoes, lotion, etc. When we introduced this way of gift giving our chilldren embraced it wholeheartedly!!
We live in a consumeristic society and usually when we want it, we get it. sad!