Time for a Christmas Checkup?
Sometimes it's hard to tell whose birthday it is, isn't it? Even the familiar sights, sounds and smells which remind us that Christmas is coming can distract us from the purpose of this important celebration. Perhaps it's time for a Christmas "checkup." Ask yourself the following questions:
· Is Christmas a time
of spiritual renewal for me?
· Which receives the most attention in my household at Christmas
-- the "advent" of Santa Claus or the Advent of Jesus Christ?
· Do I feel pressured by the media, friends, relatives and myself
to do things and spend money in ways that do not honor the birth of Christ?
· Am I comfortable with the gift-giving patterns of my family?
Does my spending for Christmas reflect my faith?
· The Gospels say that Christ's coming was "good news to the
poor." Are my celebrations of his coming also "good news to
the Poor?"
· Do your answers make you feel a need to change some of your Christmas
celebrations? If so, consider the following:
· Observe the spirit of Advent. Avoid commercialized Christmas
hype. Take some quiet time each day of Advent for reflection about what
you want to celebrate this Christmas.
· Reconsider perpetuating the Santa traditions in your household.
If Santa has become the center of attention, maybe he should go.
· Rediscover new "old ways" of giving, in which thoughtfulness
and creativity - not money - are the measures of good gifts.
· Divert from this year's Christmas budget an amount equal to 25%
of what you spent last Christmas and give it to those who really need
it.
· Include in your Christmas celebrations those who would otherwise
be alone.
· These are suggestions, not a magic formula for spiritual health
at Christmas. Consider them as you seek to shape your celebration in such
a way that this Christmas neither you nor the members of your household
will wonder "Whose birthday is it, anyway?"