Interestingly, in the revised introduction of “Unplug the Christmas Machine,”[1] the authors are comparing the state of the Christmas economy from their first printing (1982) and the current printing (1991). Their assessment: “Some aspects of Christmas have been slow to change, however. As a nation, we are still spending a lot of money to wish each other a Merry Christmas.”[2] Surprised? Probably not. Borrowing their pithy phrase, gift giving runs the Christmas Machine. Giving and receiving gifts has become central to most people’s thoughts of Christmas. Satan has promised happiness, acceptance, and love through commercial messaging in our gift giving. Think that’s too strong? Watch a few Christmas commercials and it seems every store claims they have the products to make our family happy this Christmas! Two weeks ago, my children made Christmas lists without instruction to do so. In free time, my children watched a cartoon, fresh with Christmas commercials. I frankly was disheartened, not because I did not want to know what they wished for, but because I have been the woman who traditionally refuses to think Christmas or plan for Christmas prior to Thanksgiving. God gave us this wonderfully rich season to intentionally discipline ourselves to be in a position of thankfulness. I refuse to lose that in Christmas lists! However, due to my dogmatic timing issues, there have been Christmases I find myself in a panic trying to cover everyone on my list last minute. I have been guilty of the anger mongering mom discussed in the last Tip for Treasuring the Season, Gearing Up: Reality Check. So what are we to do? Let’s address the two common problems separately:

1) How do I protect my family from the “I want for Christmas” phenomenon?

2) How do I preserve the joy of gift giving in planning for Christmas?

1. We are parentally responsible for the discipleship of our children (Eph. 6). To assume your children know the real meaning of Christmas is to leave the discipline of your children to the media. It is irrational to think children can watch hours of commercials and walk through stores designed to engage their Christmas senses without being immersed in Christmas consumerism by default. Just as we are to talk about God’s word when we sit in our house, when we walk about, when we lie down, and when we rise (Deut. 6:7), we also should train our children to think counter-culturally as Christmas approaches. For some of us, that means we will be changing our thought patterns as well. I have been privileged to homeschool my children the past four years with the help of the Classical School P.A.C.E.S. PAideia (www.pceinfo.org) where we attend classes one day a week. At PAideia, students are trained from their first of school to watch movies asking questions of the producers, actors, and writer’s intent. What is the producer or writer wanting us to think about the characters? What is the character wanting us to see in himself, or in others? Most importantly, how this movie made us look at anything differently and does it line up with what we know to be true? I have determined to take this approach with Christmas messages being fed to my children and honestly, to myself. If we are training our children in the ways of the Lord, they will be equipped to recognize darkness from light (Prov. 22:6, Isa. 55:11, 2 Tim. 3:16).

2. Good news! The second problem is easily solved with advanced planning! The first task is to set realistic expectations for gift giving and make a master list. If you are utilizing the Christmas Countdown resources on www.organizedhome.com, a master gift list template is available. Whatever method of madness you have used in the past or would like to use this year, get it out! I have a Christmas journal my mother gave me years ago and I keep a perpetual yearly master list inside. As you are thinking about the master list, also rethink the type of gifts you have purchased in the past.  Mrs. Mohler, during the Holiday Traditions conference breakout[3], highlighted the importance of discerning how the gift was received. If the recipient is not giving pleasant feedback or tragically no feedback at all, then maybe you should consider buying something else this year. If we give gifts to extend God’s love and honor the recipient, we should consider their needs. Most importantly, keep in mind the value of the gift is not found in its numerical value! As a pastor’s wife, I am usually involved helping my husband provide gifts for his staff. Think outside the box! Is there a young woman or teenage girl that enjoys baking who would be willing to bake gourmet rolls or cinnamon buns? Why not hire her to bake a few dozen to give as gifts? The recipients can freeze them, use them for their own family Christmas dinner, or simply enjoy!  Try combining your cookie baking day with gift giving (we will discuss this in more depth a few tips later under Tradition or Rut). Purchase an inexpensive plate or platter from your local discount store, take a day to bake multiple dozens of a variety of cookies, platter a dozen variety, wrap nicely, and voila! Great gift! Do you have some ideas you would like to share? Please do so in the reply box below! If you are using the Christmas Countdown Weekly Planner (www.organizedhome.com), then your task next week is to conquer gift giving. You can do this! Just think….no last minute panic this year.

Most importantly, we want to be known as a generous people. As we meditate on Christ emptying Himself of His glory, coming to earth, taking our punishment, and conquering death, we cannot help but be generous as God has been generous to us. I leave you with a few scriptures reminding us of these biblical truths, including my theme set for Christmas this year, Philippians 2:1-11. Make much of Christ in your gift giving this year!

1 Timothy 6:17-19 –  As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

2 Corinthians 9:13 – By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.

Philippians 2:1-11 – So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in

Journey Through Bethlehem, 2009

the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.