Watching Everybody Loves Raymond on tv made me think of this topic.  Raymond’s Mom is so concerned about her couch she has a plastic cover on it despite it being uncomfortable for her or anyone else to sit there.  This made me realize what’s going on in my life.

We are in the process of remodeling our kitchen and bathroom.  It made sense to replace the kitchen appliances because they were on their last leg.  Now I contemplate changing the countertop from butcherblock to granite.  But the only reason to do that is it’s out of date.  It serves its purpose perfectly and there are no stains or warping of any kind.  Should I follow along like a lemming and change it just because the market says I need to?!  I’ve become a product of the culture to keep up with the Joneses.  It’s no wonder with all the ads we are bombarded with every day.  If I google a product on my phone or laptop, the powers that be know what ads to pop up on my devices.  I watch ads on tv, on the games I play, on billboards, and publications. I hear about products and services on the radio.  I can’t get away from it.  I have become a product of the culture, dictated by the interior designers of this day.  If I went back in time, my countertop would be the object of other’s admiration.  Am I doing this to please others and receive affirmation? Material things can become such an obsession they become idols.   

Maybe I should get a new car while I’m at it.  We certainly need one!  My goodness, my Jeep has manual windows!  I have to open the car doors and trunk with a key.  Oh, how inconvenient!  And this is the time of year cars are on sale! Common sense makes me realize my Jeep works perfectly fine and there’s no other reason to trade it in.  I’m going to stop listening to the cry of materialism to Buy, Buy, Buy!

The Christmas season is even worse with everyone scurrying around to buy the perfect gifts.  The stores stock Christmas items before Halloween and Thanksgiving gets lost in the middle.  Black Friday is a madhouse with people pushing and shoving to purchase the trendiest things.  Then there is Cyber Monday.  I wish we could go back to simpler days when we were happy with a modest gift.

Christmas shopping is done without a thought about Jesus’s gift to us of his birth and plan for our salvation.  He came to earth from Heaven to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life. That’s the greatest gift of all.  The wise men gave gifts out of their wealth to worship Jesus.  The shepherd boy had no gift to bring, but his obedience to travel and worship Jesus was so pleasing to God. 

How can we bring pleasing gifts to God this Christmas?  By giving gifts out of our love to others, we are symbolically giving gifts to the baby Jesus, who was both God and man. He came to earth to sacrifice His life for us, so that we might live with Him eternally once we accept Him as our Savior.  He saved us from our sins and made us righteous before God.

Our gifts to others are a willing sacrifice, just as He willingly died for us according to God’s will. 

It doesn’t matter how expensive the gift is, if it’s given out of love then you are thinking the way Jesus would.  God doesn’t want you to go into debt and have to struggle with payments.  I’ve always admired people that can give just the right gift to match the person’s interests, wants and needs.  Their giving is a thoughtful reflection of the person and how it might please him or her.  The creative person is also admired, because their sacrifice is a loving gesture, a gift of their time and talent.  Giving to charity to address a person’s needs in desperate situations is a loving gesture. 

So, when you shop, think about why you are giving and let it reflects God’s sacrificial love for us.  Let your celebrations be for the right reason.

This is a lesson on contentment.  As the Bible states, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.  So, if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” 1 Timothy 6:  6-8 NLT

Keep life simple and only buy what you need.  Matthew 6:19-20 sums this up with much wisdom, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

What should we be thinking about instead of worthless idols?  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:2 NLT

Why did God send Jesus, His Son, to earth?  For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Why give to those in need?  And don’t forget to do good and share with those in need.  These are the sacrifices that please God.  Hebrews 13:16 NLT

Prayer: Lord, keep our eyes on things above and not on worldly things.  Keep us from being tempted to purchase things we don’t need.  Don’t allow us to follow along with the culture and the world.  Give us wisdom and allow your Holy Spirit to guide our material purchases. Let us celebrate Christmas, your birthday, with joy, giving to others as an expression of your love and sacrifice for us.  In Jesus name, I pray.

Published by barbaraziogasgmailcom

My quest is to be a free-lance writer. This has been my dream for many years, and now I believe it is the right time. God’s timing is perfect. I would like to write about social issues pertaining to poverty, domestic violence, the criminal justice system, religious education and other human interest topics. My past work experience included grant writing, writing issue papers, newsletters, creating flyers, brochures, news releases, and public service announcements. My business experience gave me skills in writing business plans, consignment contracts, newspaper articles, content for social media marketing and ads in a weekly paper. My purpose is to serve God and glorify Him through my work. View all posts by barbaraziogasgmailcom