The whirlwind called "the holidays" has begun.
I have always loved this time of year. Really. I love it. I think it is because it was never stressful for us growing up. My mom really really enjoys Christmas. I am talking wake up at 4:00 a.m. on Christmas morning using Jingle Bells saying Ho Ho Ho-can't open one single present until the morning of-you can't even peek into the living room until we're all awake-kind of LOVE Christmas. She definitely created traditions for our family. Until you get married and have to share the holidays, you cannot truly appreciate what you did as a family growing up.
I cannot imagine ever saying, "I dread Christmas." It saddens me deeply to hear anyone say that. What can you do to change that mentality?
While all of us might be guilty of dreading this time of year in some fashion, I want to challenge you to think about all those people (especially right now) who can't even afford to have a dinner with their family. They can't afford to pay their electric bill or mortgage. Much less buy Christmas presents for themselves, their children or anyone else.
Today I heard a 92 year old woman reminiscence about her Christmases as a child. She told really great stories about Christmas being so special to them as children because they literally had nothing. Stores at that time only sold toys during Christmas. No other time. There were no Black Friday sales. There was barely enough heat in their house. They would take one of their own black stockings and hang it on the fireplace to wake up on Christmas morning with it filled with an orange, a quarter in the toe and the "most wonderful nuts." Can you imagine your 11 year old getting excited about "the most wonderful nuts" in their stocking this year at Christmas? Pretty sure there would be some disappointed kids.
I have been thinking all day today about what simple times those were. Brent and I are so blessed to live with more than we need - we always have food on our table, fire in our fireplace, nice clothes to wear and a home bigger than we could ever need.
This Christmas, what do you have enough of?
Have you considered what YOU can do for SOMEONE else?
If you have children and you want to instill Christmas traditions, have you considered starting your own tradition of helping someone else at Christmas? or some other tradition to truly teach them what Christmas is really all about and not just what the commercialized version means...
I think many times we don't do something for other people because we think we have to spend a significant amount of money. If you've ever been in lack, were you really all that picky on what you received? Did you really care if the person who gave you something spent $50 or $5?
Tonight I struggled with wanting to spend $100+ for a family in our church in need this Christmas. I really wanted to do that but couldn't. Instead I picked up a few nice things from the $1 Target bins and I know these little girls are going to love it. Think about how humbling it had to be for these parents to admit they needed help for Christmas. Do you really think they'll care that I bought their little girls stuff from a dollar bin? Doubt it.
So I challenge you this Christmas to set aside some money from your Christmas budget and see what you can do to impact the lives of another family. The Salvation Army Angel Trees are packed full this year of families in need. Homeless shelters and food kitchens are struggling to make ends meet. Pick up a few extra cans of food when you shop for your meal this week and drop it off at your local non-profit.
If for nothing else, do it for the way you will feel once you've done it. But know that the impact on the recipient will be much greater.

Matthew 10:42
And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.