A few years ago there was a two-paneled cartoon. The
first panel showed a gentlemen sitting in front of a Christmas tree piled high
with gifts. The second panel had a few gifts and a Nativity set and his
question as he could now see the crèche, “Hey! Where did that come from?” A
voice from the other room replied: “It’s always been there.”
Help your families and the people in your congregation
enjoy a simpler Christmas by suggesting these practices to them:
1. Spend some
time each day in silence. The Prince of Peace came in the stillness of the
night. The call of Scripture to us in the Psalms is “Be still and know that I
am God” (Psalm 46:10). Spending a few minutes each day roots us in our
relationship to God, bringing us closer to the Spirit of Christ.
2. Remember
those who help. Be especially kind and grateful to sales personnel
during this season. Often they are tired and stressed because of working long
hours and impatient customers. You can make a difference in their day by your
words, your patience, your thank you.
3. Go vegetarian
for one meal. In many countries around the world it is
customary to have a meatless Christmas Eve dinner. This is done in remembrance
and honor of the animals present at Jesus’ birth. They too shared in the joy of
Christ’s coming.
4. Play “one for
me, one for you.” Start this tradition: Whenever your child adds
something to his own wish list, have him think also of a gift for someone less
fortunate. Then help him find it, make it, give it.
5. Christmas
Questions. Take time at dinner (or before bedtime) to share
some thoughts with your spouse or family on these questions: a) What is your
happiest Christmas memory? b) If you could start a new Christmas tradition what
would it be? c) Do any of our Christmas plans include reaching out to people in
need? d) Think of all the “characters” in the Scripture story. What presents
did they give to Jesus? Are our presents anything like the presents that were
given at the first Christmas?
6. Blessings. Pray a simple
prayer of blessing when you put out your Nativity set, turn on the tree for the
first time, before you open your family presents.
7. The
Magi’s Gifts. To help combat consumerism at Christmas, some families
limit the number of gifts to three in honor of the gifts of the Magi. Consider
giving children one gift that is their heart’s desire, a piece of clothing that
is not just sensible, and one gift that will help them grow (a book or sports
accessory, etc.).
Twelve Days of Giving. On each of the twelve days of
Christmas, beginning December 25 and ending on January 5, pick an activity
you/your family can do for someone else. Bring groceries to the food bank,
serve at a soup kitchen, donate toys to a local drive, call someone who is
grieving, collect coats for the homeless – there are endless ways to give.
http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/1/post/2013/12/8-suggestions-for-a-simple-meaningful-christmas-janet-schaeffler-op.html
