For
more years than I can recall, I’ve harbored a horrible secret almost nobody knows (except my family). I simply do not
enjoy putting any kind of Christmas paraphernalia up (tree with ornaments,
nativity scene, Christmas card wreath, or external lights). There are no extra
funds to pay anyone else to do it for me either. (This feeling runs in the
family as my widowed senior mother hates this part of the holidays, and refuses
to do it.)
For
a while now, our daughter, Allena, has been the one to decorate our home with
all the Holiday cheer. (When she is no longer living at home to do this task, I’m
sure it will most likely cease to happen.)
Our
daughter will only get a one week of winter’s break from Youth with a Mission in
Akron, OH (see Distracted). She asked
if all the Christmas stuff could be up. Soon the appearance of Christmas will
come to stay (for a while) to the Kinker household.
When
everything is up (inside and out), I will admit that it is breath taking. The
only thought that runs across my brain though is “Who’s going to have to take
all this stuff down, and put it back in the garage?” I know the answer it is
always “Robert.”
Consider
the following point to holiday purchases. In my fifties, I’ve reached a comfort
level in my life where there’s not a whole lot I want or need. If there’s
something that I really want (that’s big financially), chances are my wife
(Bobbi), our family’s budget analyst, can somehow make our meager income
squeeze out to purchase it (without waiting for Christmas).
For
those of us that are followers of Jesus Christ, we know the birth of a tiny
baby in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-19) is the real reason for this upcoming holiday
season (not all the holiday traditions we love to share).
For
some, Christmas will be a season of difficulty (for various reasons) not of
joy. Enjoy your time with those you love during this wonderful time of year. Why
not put your real effort into encouraging those with a physical (or emotional)
need? Isn’t giving what the spirit of Christmas boils down to?
A
loving Heavenly Father gave the world the greatest gift of His Son (Jesus)
wrapped in the form of a defenseless baby. Give your gifts to those you cherish
the most during this time. Remember at this special time of year to bless those
that have far less than you do. Pass on your goodness.
 |
| Christmas 2014. Holiday cheer by Allena Kinker. |
No comments:
Post a Comment