It has become disappointingly apparent to me over the last several years how stressful the season of Christmas can be for many people. Perhaps, my discontent for “Christmas consumerism” arose when I started working as a full-time retail pharmacist. Retail work, of any kind, during the holiday season is daunting. Why must it be this way? Over the years, the media and retail stores have, in a sense, pre-programmed our brains to inevitably, with the flip of a switch, become tyrant consumers during the holiday season. With midnight Black Friday sales and extended holiday hours, we become obsessed with getting the “perfect gift” or the “last sale item” even when we don’t need it. In past years, I admit to being caught in this consumerism storm. I searched high and low for Christmas gifts to give to family members and friends that, honestly, didn’t need a thing. It would stress me out to a point that, by the time Christmas day came, I was far too exhausted to enjoy the actual “giving” part. I spent so much time and energy searching for the gift, buying the gift, and wrapping the gift in a beautiful package (which, by the way, once the gift finally reaches its destination, the bow is somehow lost in the trunk of the car and half the wrapping paper is torn and crumpled) that I was left with little energy for the part that should be the best part of process…the gift giving part. I am bothered by this realization. Therefore, I decided this year would be the start of a new and different tradition for us. My desire and challenge this year is to spend less and give more. This Savage family is going “back to the basics”. We want to fill our gifts with less cash and more meaning. We are taking a scaled back approach to the Christmas season and making a point to focus our celebration on its real meaning…the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. When you think about Jesus being a “perfect gift” for all the world, nothing else can compare and, certainly, we wouldn’t have a need for anything else. Suddenly, we realize Playstation, X-box, 50” plasma TV’s, laptops, leather boots, cashmere sweaters, etc. are, simply, outlandish and absurd. Perhaps, if we approached gift giving in a manner that symbolizes love and meaningfulness and less about size and pageantry, we would find ourselves in far better moods and less stressed. More importantly, we begin to open the door to savoring the family memories, capturing the heart of each moment, and finding joy in the beauty of the season. Now that’s a true Christmas spirit!
Remembering today: Hope, peace and love rests in the Messiah.
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!”
–Isaiah 9:6-7
Wonderful Counselor - Without fail, He is distinguished, remarkably renowned, and the utmost giver of advice.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Mighty God – He is fully God.
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. -2 Samuel 22:31
Everlasting Father – He is ageless, changeless, and timeless. He is forever. He is blessed assurance.
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hill be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54:10
Prince of Peace – He reigns with fairness, forgiveness, justice, and harmony.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:6-7
