Ways To Give

A Throw-Away Christmas

Written by Joyce Simmons

At our door awaits the emotional splendor of the December rush. As we enter the gateway of decked halls and sleighed door posts, we are hit with snow-slushed proportions the weight of making this holiday the best ever.

Fear of someone’s ultimate disappointment forces our hand in trading our peace of mind and financial well-being for that new spangled bauble or toy in which those significant others may find delight. As we leave the store we quickly dismiss the radiating heat from our plastic credit card, thinking it only to be that Christmas glow. But, oh well, that’s what the season is all about you muse. The laughter of children opening gifts amongst a family doused in merriment. Mother in the kitchen basting the golden bird, slyly peeking in the oven door at her Christmas creation. Guests looking in awe and envy at the wonder of this family celebration.

All of the above is the stuff which sells an abundance of trinkets from laden department store shelves and empties the gilded verse card racks from the drug stores. But, in our pursuit of the Christmas dream we are often awakened by stressed December schedules, shattered realities of brokeness within our families and the inability to perform such wonders as we ourselves expect. Even in financial abundance the awaited time of gift-giving is evaporated into a flurry of torn paper, unraveled ribbon and tossed Kentucky chicken buckets – all of which make their way into large garbage bags within hours …  the typical and growing “Throw-Away Christmas”.

Disappointments are soon packed away and identified with the worn out decorations and faulty strings of lights. Shelved are the nagging doubts and worries of paying for the fleeting season.

Why do we so easily settle for a Throw-Away Christmas when the greatest gift we dare to share comes simply and without fanfare? True Christmas joy is fodder for memory books and remembered for years as lasting morsels of the Christmas spirit. They are the substance that in the years to come, bring smiles of Christmas past. True gifts are those not easily discarded or exchanged for disappointment and emptiness.

When all the world was awaiting the pomp arrival of the King and Messiah, feasts were being prepared and the cloth of purple being woven. Invitations were being sent to dignitaries who talked of the powerful Savior, assured they would be a part of the inner circle of welcomers.

As time passed, in true godly style, the great and powerful King did arrive but humbly, as a baby. His life did not represent extravagance or the attraction the world had implied. This gift to all people laid a blueprint for the world to follow. His mission was a daily commitment to leave for everyone gifts more precious than sparkling baubles and fleeting aromas. For these He knew would lose their luster leaving a vacancy deeper than before. Those who were a part of His daily encounters were given a gift that satisfied the need of every human – the gift of hope, of the abundant life and security for their eternal future. He left with those He touched a guarantee of the gift they received.

He did not sway with the opinion of the moment or toss in false hope for the wounded and hurting. He owned the rights to the truth and He gave freely. Although many did not receive His gift or even understand it, Jesus deflected the criticism and rejection staying true to the path before Him.

In the garden of Gethsemane His life, His gifts were still being poured out freely to the intimate group that encircled Him. As was His lifestyle He continued to:

• Give of Himself without reservation or restriction
• Share the truth with no retraction
• Reveal the depth of His inner thoughts and hopes
• Persist in His goal although those around Him seemed to sleep
• Share the truth more than His feelings

As the temptation arises inside of us this season to please and rectify for a year’s worth of empty emotional stockings, let’s realize the gift of each day and the powerful influence we have in the lives of those around us. Fill to overflowing the expectation you see in the lives of those who surround you at Christmas and in the year to come. With abandonment, buy into the promise that you can be the bearer of the best news and sought after truth of all time. Instead of settling for a typical “Throw-Away Christmas” this year, let’s hide the credit card and checkbook and determine to invest more wisely in the art of simple moments that leave lasting and eternal impressions.

Like Jesus, let’s lay our gifts before a world who longs this season for the extravagance of peace and the effervescence of joy. Why not take a moment to pray and ask God to model this in your life:

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2 Responses to “A Throw-Away Christmas”

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• Alden Mohammad says:

  February 27, 2010 at 2:32 pm

  This blog I find really interesting and will let others know about this
• Ray says:

  March 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

  I dont usually comment, but after reading through so much info I had to say thanks

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