Pastor Bonnie's Notes

I remember Christmas in 1987. The Johnsons gave us a gift of $75 to buy a Christmas tree. What a great gift! Seventy-five dollars for a tree! Then I read the note that came with the money: "This year our family has decided to do without a Christmas tree. Instead we are giving our Christmas tree money to you so that your family can buy a tree."

And I thought, "What? Their kids won't have a Christmas tree? We don't need their money. We can afford to buy our own tree." I began to feel like the Grinch. I felt responsible for the very depressing Christmas these children would experience. I could picture the kids mourning over the place in their home where a tree would traditionally be placed. Where would they put their presents?

But if we refused this gift of money, it would appear we were not grateful or that we were questioning their parental decision to not have a tree. So we took the money and bought the tree. We decorated the tree. And when I looked at the tree, I was depressed. This should not be our tree.

I wondered if I would ever be able to model such sacrificial giving to my children.
And I wondered if I would ask my children to join me in making such a sacrifice.
But then again, God asked a sacrifice of His child. God gave the ultimate sacrificial gift. And He asked His child to join Him in making this sacrifice. And we received the gift of Christmas.

Now I'm not suggesting that you give up your Christmas tree. (Honestly, I'm not sure I could do it.) But consider having a family conversation about what a sacrificial gift might look like for your own family this Christmas.

The Johnsons had that conversation, and they experienced one of the greatest Christmas seasons ever. After all, when it comes to Christmas, isn't it all about sacrificial giving?

By the way, please don't sacrifice any Christmas trees my way.

Posted by Webminister at 01:02 PM | Permalink

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” Actually, it has been looking like Christmas since October. Store aisles are filled with Christmas decorations, gift ideas, new toys…
and we are overwhelmed with the pressure to buy, buy, buy… No wonder our kids are obsessed with every new item on the market. Their Christmas list keeps growing and so does our frustration with their endless cries for more. But before we blame our children for their materialistic views of the holiday, let’s check our own attitudes.

• How is Christmas looking for us?
• Have we opened up our Bibles yet and read the Christmas story?
• Have we personalized and journaled the meaning of the Christmas story for us?
• Have we stopped to ask God with whom we might share the Christmas message?
• Have we stopped to thank God for the gift of His son for our sins?
• Have we talked about Jesus as much as we have talked about Santa Claus?
• Have we reached out with a gift- not for our friends- but for a needy person whom God loves and died for?
• Have we placed the nativity scenes around the house where conversation takes place?

The key to helping our children get the right perspective lies is our attitude as adults. Children take their cues primarily from those things that are of greatest interest to the adults in their lives. This year, let’s give our kids a new definition of “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

Posted by Webminister at 03:14 PM | Permalink

Yes, I have already turned in my Christmas list to Santa!

If you are looking for that extra special gift for your kids, may I suggest you buy one that will not break by the New Year. In fact, why not invest in that gift that will get daily use all year. What might that lasting gift be? Why not purchase a daily devotional reading for your kids.

This can be a great way to teach your child to focus on God a few minutes each day. Here are ones I really like. You can find these at Family Christian Bookstore.

Me and God: Devotionals for ages 3 to 7 (Promise Press, Barbour Pub.)

Growing and Learning Day By Day: A devotional for young children (Tyndale Pub.)

Kids’ Book of Devotions by Mark Littleton: Devotionals for ages 8 to 12 (Zondervan Kidz pub.)

Posted by Webminister at 02:33 PM | Permalink