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Christmas Greed
By mstrohm | December 6, 2009
The following appeared a few years ago, but is worth repeating.
Are your kids consumer junkies, expecting their next big “fix” this Christmas? As Christians we should be celebrating Christ’s birth, not using this holiday as an excuse for indulgence. Here are a few suggestions to help stave off the greed:
Help your children focus on someone besides themselves. Participate in Operation Christmas Child, or some other needy cause. Perhaps your church could connect you to a needy family. If you know someone who has suffered a loss you can plan a special meal and invite them over. Are still not sure where to find someone in need? Here are two suggestions on where individuals in need of a blessing can be found: a bus stop and Laundromats. You can offer coffee, hot chocolate, tea, home baked cookies, etc. to bring holiday cheer!
Plan to give gently used but no longer played with toys away. Firmly, but lovingly insist that your child make room for new toys that will be arriving for Christmas. You can use this as a learning lesson. Discuss how much each toy was played with. Did it bring the satisfaction your child had hoped for? After you decide which toys should go, separate into two piles, one to discard and another to give away.
Be forthright about your Christmas budget. If your child is old enough, discuss the amount you are going to spend for his or her presents. Engage them in discussions about their Christmas list. “If you received this item, it would be the only present you get, what do you think about that?” Set the budget low enough to add an “extra” child. If you have two children and plan to spend $300, divide that amount into three instead of two. This “extra child” money can be used for a favorite charity decided by the family.
Actively talk about limiting consumption. What does it mean to “choose less?” Discuss why more is not better, and how more only satisfies temporarily. Talk about examples of friends or acquaintances who received an expensive item but did not seem to be any happier. Talk about how children who get everything they want are often miserable. Make sure you weave into your conversing an understanding that only one present can truly satisfy – the gift of Jesus Christ!
Sit down and watch a Christmas television special together as a family. Then talk about the message of the commercials. Highlight how commercials foster greed by developing a desire for more “stuff.” Explain how companies try to depict what is “cool” and “not cool” to sell their items and make a profit, not “help” children have better lives. Talk about how segregating between those who are “cool” and those who are not only hurts individuals. Conclude with a clear understanding that those making commercials and selling those products do not have our best interests in mind, only theirs.
When your family is together (car rides are great for this) have each person share by finishing this line: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should buy. . .” Then discuss why they chose the item they did. Was it because it was not needed? Because it sends the wrong message to others? Because they already have enough? Point out which of their statements are Biblical truths.
It is easy for our children to get caught up in the consumerism of this holiday. While taking time for your usual decorating, shopping and cookie baking, parents would be wise to set aside some time to teach and train your children. Looking past the greed will help your children recognize the real reason for the season.
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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