“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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We live in a consumeristic society and usually when we want it, we get it. sad!
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!!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.