Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NIV)
I love my preschool Sunday school class. You just never know what they are going to do or say. They are so innocently honest.
Yesterday we were talking about all the great things they got from Santa Claus. They were so excited to get to talk about it one more time to a new set of ears. Cecelia was particularly vocal and probably remembered every item she got under every tree she visited. By the time she got to the end of her list she said... "I got so many presents that, actually (her new favorite word), I think I won Christmas!"
Ouch! So cuttingly, convictingly honest! Isn't that what Christmas has become in this country?... A contest? Even a 4-year-old can see it. It's a contest to make sure our kids get the hottest, most sought-after gifts. Remember the "Tickle-Me-Elmo," "Furbie," "Power Ranger" and "Cabbage Patch Kids" hunts of former years. People would trample each other to get the latest and greatest. If that toy was under your tree that year, you won Christmas.
It's a contest to see who is loved most. I've seen women compare gifts from their boyfriends or husbands. The ones that got the expensive jewelry won Christmas because obviously their significant other loved them most. It's a contest to see who has the most Christmas spirit. We all know some men who tend to go overboard with their outside decorations... need I elaborate...? :)
Don't get me wrong... I think the gifts and the generosity and the excitement of the season is great. But like everything else, we tend to compete. It's human nature. But perhaps we should refocus the competition. Maybe we should compete with how many Random Acts of Kindness we complete throughout the holiday season... or the percentage of our income we give to those in need... or how many lonely people we visit.
Now that this season is over, maybe we can think ahead to next year. What shall our focus be? Will we teach our kids that they need to have the most stuff? Or shall we teach them to help those who never have enough? If we could teach the next generation to love others more than themselves, we would truly win Christmas.
Father,
As another Christmas season ends, keep us mindful of what it is really about. Change our hearts and change our focus. Help us to truly win Christmas next year. Amen.
Joys: my Sunday school kids; baby showers; time with family over the weekend
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