In
the previous blog on How to Give a Gift
that Matters, I talked about how materialistically crazy Christmas has
become. For many, especially children, the meaning of Christmas is simply how
many good presents they get. But as we all know (hopefully), that’s not the
real meaning of Christmas.
As
we get older, we realize that there’s more to it than presents. Every now and
then there will be a movie or news story on television about some truly
generous giver. And with that, we are reminded of a better perspective on the
holidays; that it is like Jesus said, “More blessed to give than to receive.”
So
then, the real meaning of Christmas is giving – right?
Well…
no.
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Whether
your focus is on getting presents or on giving presents — either way, the true
meaning of Christmas is not about the presents.
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For
many, Christmas is either merry or depressing because of how many good presents
they are able to give. And for some, because their financial situation makes it
very difficult to give, they have come to hate the Christmas holidays — because of all the giving. Whether your
focus is on getting presents or on giving presents — either way, the true
meaning of Christmas is not about the presents.
So,
if the true meaning of Christmas not giving or receiving presents, then what?
Many
Facebook and blog commentators wrote that the most difficult part of Christmas
for them was a person who was not with them any more.
Amanda wrote: the best part of christmas is being with my family. the worst
part is not having my grandfather here anymore. he passed away in august of
2007, 3 weeks before my birthday. he always was the life of every family
gathering especially christmas when he dressed up as Santa. every year when he
dressed up i always had a picture taken w/ him...i'm only 22 and he's been my
everything. it's hard knowing he's not here. he got me santa figurines every
year as a present. now i buy one every year to remember him.
Tragedy
always helps us recalibrate our sense of values. It shakes us up and brings us
back to reality. It reminds us of what is really important.
Those
of you who are regular listeners to thehopeline
radio program or who follow us on Facebook, know about the recent tragedy
in my family; that my son, Fulton, was seriously injured in a car accident and
at the time of this blog is still in a coma. There is great uncertainty about
what lies ahead if and when he comes out of the coma. I can’t tell you how
blessed and encourage I am from the hundreds of prayers, well wishes, and
encouraging words.
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Christmas is about totally pure, unconditional, irrepressible, inconceivably, awesome, self-denying - TRUE LOVE.
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It’s
like the old Cat Stephens’ song (way before your time) — “You don’t know what
you’ve got till it’s gone.” With my son, Fulton, lying in a coma at this very
moment I have been forced to stare this truth in the face. Yes, I’m just like
the rest of you, and especially like those for whom tragedy (or near tragedy)
is a reminder to us of what is really important. Christmas is so much more than
presents, receiving them or even giving them.
So
then, the real meaning of Christmas is about the people in your life that you love.
As
much as I feel the importance of loved ones at this moment (and will be
reminded of it every Christmas for the rest of my life)… No, that’s not the
real meaning of Christmas. There are people all over the world who love their
friends and family but who do not celebrate Christmas.
Okay,
so what is the real meaning of Christmas?
I’m
no Scrooge. Christmas is partly about giving and receiving gifts and it is
about celebrating the family and friends in our lives. But the real meaning of
Christmas is something even higher, bigger, and infinitely better that all of
that. Christmas is about totally pure, unconditional, irrepressible,
inconceivably awesome, self-denying — TRUE LOVE.
John
was one of twelve disciples of Jesus, and he wrote the book in the Bible known
as The Gospel of John. The word
“gospel” means good news.
John, Disciple of Jesus, wrote: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
I
like what Michelle wrote on our Facebook page. I could easily understand how
Christmas could be the worse time of the year for her. But she seems to have
put it all together—realizing importance of the people in her life, the real
meaning of Christmas, and because of both those things, the true joy of giving.
Michelle wrote: Hardest part of Christmas is losing my mom on December 26th
to cancer. Best part of Christmas is celebrating the true reason for the season
-- the birth of baby Jesus and the HOPE He brings to all. Another best part of
Christmas for me is visiting the cancer center where my mom had treatments and
giving a teddy bear to a cancer patient from Build-A- Bear workshop in honor
and in memory of my mom. Bittersweet moment but well worth the tears :o)
Merry
Christmas to you all! —
Dawson
Next
Week:
With Christmas passed and New Years on the way, people begin thinking about
resolutions. What are some of your New Years resolutions? Any suggestions on
how to turn those resolutions into reality?
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