Cutting Through the Christmas Hype

Dear Friends,

    Here we are, December 1^st.  We’ve made it through Thanksgiving, we got through the hype of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  Now it is time to settle in and really focus on the true meaning and purpose of this Holy season.  This has the potential to be a wonderful, blessed season.  Unfortunately, every year I see situations where individuals or families have turned it into such a stressful time that it sucks the joy right out of it.  So, I want to offer you a few suggestions to help make this a great Advent/Christmas Season.

                First, take the focus off materialism.  Particularly in a difficult economic year, it is even more important that we de-emphasize excessive gift giving.  We can do this in several ways.  Set appropriate expectations within your family in the area of gifts so that no one feels the pressure to over-do or out-do.   Absolutely do not go into debt to purchase gifts.  Only buy and give what you can reasonably afford to pay for outright.  Focus on giving to the needy rather than buy more stuff for people who already have everything they need.  This year our entire Christmas Eve offering will go towards our various local outreach efforts such as the soup kitchen, food pantry, Somebody Cares New England, and our own care ministry fund which helps hundreds of people throughout the year.  I would ask you to set aside a tithe (1/10) of whatever you would spend on Christmas gifts and entertaining to give to this offering.

                Secondly, focus on people.  It has been my experience that most people would rather have a little bit of our time and attention than to receive a fancy gift in the mail.  Take time for family and friends.  Get together with folks you haven’t seen recently.  Try to think of people you know who don’t have family in the area (or perhaps at all).  Invite them over.  And don’t get too caught up in the preparations.  It doesn’t have to be a feast.  A cup of soup with good friends, or family, is enough if the home is filled with love and joy.

                Finally, focus on Christ, the one whose birth we celebrate.  If you really want to experience the full joy of this Christmas, it must be centered in Christ.  So in the midst of the busyness, make sure you are setting aside time for worship, prayer, and personal devotional time.  Last week, we began a new four week series for Advent.   Without giving too much away, I want to tell you that the message this Sunday is VERY important.  In fact, for some of us, it may be the most important message we hear all year.  I hope to see each and every one of you in worship this Sunday.

                God Bless,

Pastor Steve