With the economic downturn, it seems that many people are being forced to "down-size" their usual Christmas spending and even, sometimes, their usual traditions. I was mulling over this a few days ago, and noticed a tendency to unconsciously compare the present, leaner year with the years gone by. Thus, we are often disappointed when (due to less money) this year's festivities, or presents, or traditions are more curtailed than last year's.
"We go to the same place every year to cut down our Christmas tree. There are so many wonderful, Christmassy memories associated with the red barn, hot apple cider, pecans, tractor-pulled hayrides…" Well, what if there is not the funds for a tree from there? It is easy to slip into a self-pitying or downhearted state of mind, feeling deprived and like the season is "missing something." But there is another alternative - to seek out creative alternatives, deciding - with our will - to rejoice in what we
do have, and creating new, less expensive traditions. We really have so much to be thankful for (having just celebrated Thanksgiving, we just had an occasion to remember blessings), and as we focus on what we have been given by God's grace, we can have a heart overflowing with joy.
In my own family's case, we created a new tradition - instead of driving far away to cut down a tree at a special farm, we went to our land. After much enjoyable tramping through the tall grasses, exploring the woods, and discovering "perfect" trees-only to find out they were 35 ft. tall and 20 ft. wide-we found "the tree!" No, it's not a fancy tree, and it's never been trimmed by a machine - but now, ablaze with Christmas lights and ornaments, it is quite a festive presence in our living room. :-) Did we miss the other tradition? Maybe. But we enjoyed
this moment,
this Christmastime, without yearning back for the exact formula of before, and I, for one, had just as much fun, or more! :-)
Sometimes there is no way to think of an alternative for a certain tradition. Sometimes, they must just "die for lack of money." If your child is used to fifteen expensive presents Christmas morning, there is not too many alternatives. Sometimes one just can't find a cheaper way to replace something like that, and one must curb one's spending and give less things. However, one can "compensate" by adding new, even free, traditions, bringing special, different cheer and gladness to your holidays. A few ideas (these are merely suggestions to spur your own ideas - they won't suit or work for everyone):
- "brush up" on some Christmas hymns and carols, and go sing them, as a family, at a nursing home. It won't cost you any, and will warm the hearts of those older people in a way that cannot be measured in monetary terms. They especially appreciate seeing children.
- Instead of giving a gift to each child, have each one draw names from a basket, and each child get a gift for the sibling they picked out.
- Volunteer for, or attend, your city's Christmas parade or event. They are almost always free, and could be a enjoyable family outing! This year, my siblings and I volunteered as costumed carolers for McKinney's "Dickens of a Christmas" event. It was quite a lot of fun!
- Many larger cities have a "Messiah" sing-a-long, open to the public. We know people who have made this free event a special Christmas tradition.
- Make up a list (it would be great to do this as a family!) of memorable Christmases, related traditions, etc. Think back to the suspense-filled time when the main present for______ didn't come until the last minute… or when the little brother said brightly, when he noticed his sister's blank stare after opening a present from him containing used Hotwheels*, "Oh, don't worry, those weren't the ones I like anyway." ;-)… or when the cat kept breaking the Christmas ornaments… or the Christmas play rehearsal didn't go as planned… or… and have a good laugh remembering and retelling. :-)
Sometimes we just need to face up to the fact that we are being selfish and are viewing the Christmas season in the wrong light. It is not a time to please ourselves-as Christians, we are called to please others.
"Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself;" (Ro. 15:2, 3a)
"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." (Ecc. 4:6) In Christmastime, we remember the humility and unselfishness of Christ, Who gave up the glory and greatness He enjoyed in the heavens to come down to earth as a baby, denying Himself so that we could have eternal life. As we think upon the extent of His sacrifice - and that He did it for us worthless, sinful, despicable humans - our own small privations and troubles fade away into nothing.
Because, really, when you look past these merely earthly traditions that will pass away, the most important thing is not to celebrate Christmas exactly the same every year. It is not to have the perfect tree, from the perfect place, with the perfect decorations. It is not even to have presents (gasp! ;-). The most important thing is God, the people He has placed around us, and our duty to invest in their lives. If we miss this, we miss everything.
"…a man [should] rejoice, and…do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." (Ecc. 3:12b,13)
Our very ability to eat and drink, and enjoy the fruit of our labor, is a gift from God - and overflowing of His goodness towards us. This Christmas season, let us focus on all of God's gifts, and especially the eternal gift, the one that will
NOT fade or pass away:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Ro. 6:23)
