December is filled with shopping, parties, shopping, crafting, SHOPPING, cooking, Shopping, caroling, SHOPPING, eating, Shopping, plays and maybe even a little more SHOPPING (imagine that).
It's no wonder why so many people get depressed right after Christmas. There has to be a bit of a letdown with all of this leading up to one day (not to mention the credit card bills that start to roll in after all of the shopping).
The thought of being a "slave" to something seems to stick out in my mind of late...
The Bible tells us that we should not be a slave to anything (other than Christ). Yet, have you ever realized how much we allow other things to become our masters?
Any SIN that we allow in our lives becomes our master.
ANY SIN!
Pride, Envy, Hate, Lust, etc.
They are the things that we allow to dictate our behavior, our attitudes, our relationships...the reason that we do the things we do.
Ugh! Not a pretty thought, is it?
It may even be the praise of men...
could it be that sometimes we don't give gifts out of genuine love but instead that we may be thought of well by the one receiving the gift. We spend MORE on a gift because we don't want someone to think we're "cheap" or because we want someone to like us.
Generally, I give gifts out of sincerity. Nothing irks me more than the phrase,
"We'll, you know you have to give them something since they got you a gift."
Really?!?!
I think not- I want to be "real" and act out of heartfelt love and sincerity.
I thought we were giving gifts out of sincere love, to show appreciation and as a sign of affection...not DUTY.
Don't get me wrong, I am no Scrooge. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
I LOVE to give gifts...I'd be bankrupt if I gave everyone what I would like to...I like to put a lot of thought into what I give. My kids laugh because they never ask for anything (I thank God for children that are not so self-centered and want, want, want) but they always seem to be thrilled with the gifts that they get. I think it's because I don't just get things to shove under the tree but spend a lot of time researching, paying attention to what they like, and then thoughtfully choosing a gift for them.
They don't get tons of gifts either. This year they may get 2 gifts each along with a stocking with some small things and goodies.
But I GUARANTEE they are going to LoVE what they get. (I can hardly wait to see them open them ). For goodness sakes, how awful it would be if they had piles of presents and didn't appreciate anything...unwrapping one thing, tossing it aside and going to the next thing.
I challenge you, dear reader to slow down, think about how you are choosing to celebrate this holiday.
Don't become a slave to the commercialism that seems to have invaded this beautiful season.
Instead find joy in the little things...reflect upon Christ and His ultimate gift.
This time of year is wonderful to stop and REALLY think about the sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can be free from the chains and slavery of sin.
The decorating, the parties, the gift-giving...it's all just fine. But try to think about the reason you do what you...make sure you are living in the freedom Christ has given you if you are HIs Child.
