A Changing Christmas
“In every way, every child of God has every gift from God and salvation isn’t only a free gift — it is every gift ever needed.
In Christ I need nothing – but to whisper thanks.” –Ann Voskamp
Our Christmas is changing. Maybe that was the problem all along – our Christmas and not His. That tug we have been feeling over the years has finally tugged a little harder, deeper. And now we feel it. How can we not walk away changed by the tear that has left its’ scar on His hands and feet?
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:
and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:48-58
We push away all fear: What if our little ones don’t receive any gifts under our tree? Will their hearts turn angry? Sad? Will they doubt our love for them? Or His? Will our joy be stolen from us – that fleeting moment of temporal happiness to see the things of this world trick them into being happy?
Oh, for grace to know the bread-flesh come down for us. To believe and feel that yes, it’s enough. Enough to satisfy the 7, 5 and 2 year old heart – and that of their shepherds, their parents, too.
This Christmas is changing and we step out in faith, deeper than ever. No gifts under the tree on Christmas morn. But gifts of great joy and rejoicing and sacrifice in our hearts!
They flip through catalogs to pick their gifts for Jesus.
And we pray that future’s may be made bright: “When you give a Gift of Compassion, you don’t just buy a mosquito net – or a goat, or a soccer ball. You give a child, a community, the helping hand and the hope they need to make their future brighter.” –Wes Stafford
And we plead with the Christ child, that in our meager attempts to give what little we have, that:
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:4
And we ask for His glory, His fame as we run from the heart’s desire for more of this world.
And we trust in our ever-fearful hearts that great JOY will be found. We take the next step, and follow those who have gone before us showing the way. We plan with anticipation His Christmas morn’ when all gifts will be laid before Him. And we look for peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
To take our fear away.
I love to hear that you are taking this step of faith, Tara. From when Hudson was born, I have felt a great excitement at being able to start fresh with family traditions and try to create a very Christ-focused Christmas. There are a variety of ways that we have done this as we test the way and try to find the path for our family, but the thing that I struggle with is how to communicate this to grandparents – who want to shower the kids with gifts. Because they live so far from the kids, this is one of two chances they feel like they have to love on them through gift-giving. I don’t want to begrudge them that – and the cultural differences and family politics make it a touchy situation as well. So, my desire is to try to keep the focus of Christmas on Christ’s birth and reaching out to others – because Christ reached out to us. Any ideas? I find it challenge to teach a heart value when the external circumstances seem contrary to that.
For us, we’ve chosen this change within our own little family. We would never impose it on others or even expect it of them. It’s a personal calling for our family (much like homeschooling is a personal/individual “call” not condemning those that school their children differently or even going so far as to say they are in sin) Part of the beauty of the body of Christ, and walking the road of sanctification is that God works in all of us individually and at different times. We will still exchange gifts with family and we look forward to that – trusting that for us, this is a small change we feel called to at this time and that the Lord might use it to plant seeds in the hearts of our children. We aren’t responsible to change the hearts of others and at the same time don’t think gifts are wrong – they can be a beautiful way to express gratitude and to share loving-kindness with those around us. It really is all a “heart” matter – what things take precedence in our hearts, you know? God will honor your feeble efforts to make Him Lord of your lives…
Thanks. I have found myself chafing this year against all the consumerism, materialism and the complete drowning out of Christ in society. I struggle to keep my focus on Christ and to have a quiet spirit in this busy season. Of course I deeply desire my children to know the Truth, but I have to remember – yet again – that I can’t create that understanding in them. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and can only be entrusted to Him, not my methodologies, family traditions, etc. I have only been called to be faithful in the “good works” given me, in dependence on Him. It IS all about the ‘heart’. Thanks for the reminder.