Seasoned with Salt

Peace on Earth Revisited

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace..." 

Peace? What  is peace? Finding and destroying all of the world's terrorists? That might help, but right now I'm talking about the peace we talk about every year during the Christmas season.

So, what is this peace? Is it the December 24th deadline for shopping? Is it shopping bills that don't have to be paid until January? Sibling squabbles that will develop over the acquisition and use of new toys? Figuring out how to set up the new computer or video game player? Finding a place for our new stuff, since every drawer, shelf and closet were already full before we began this senseless annual ritual we call Christmas?

Senseless? Is celebrating the birth of Jesus senseless? Of course not, but the way most of us do so is not only senseless, but also immoral, sinful, and damaging to our emotional and spiritual health.

Most Christians seem to realize that how we celebrate Christmas is problematic, but we don't know how to say "no" to materialism without igniting World War III in the home. I have a practical suggestion that will restore some sanity to this time of year, elevate Jesus Christ to His proper prominence as the "Reason for the Season," and draw us closer together as families.

Two years ago, my family agreed unanimously to try a new approach to our own celebration of Christmas. Not only did we participate in worship services at church, and worship at home with song and prayer, but we amputated the Christmas shopping rush. Further, the new year arrives without its budget having been defeated at the starting gate. 

Our family does not shop for presents, nor do we even give traditional presents. Wait!! Don't hit the Back button on your browser--read on! But first, let me explain that this is God's idea, not ours, right out of His Book. Is God's Christmas present to us the latest video game? a soccer ball? a doll? a skateboard? money? No, God's Christmas present to us is a love gift, Himself. At Christmas, my family exchanges love gifts: ourselves. How?

In place of store-bought presents, we emulate the adage: "Love is spelled t-i-m-e." Kids do not want more material goods from their parents; they want their parents' time. Uh-oh, you think, this is really going to cost me! Indeed it is, but you will be able to "buy now, pay later", just as you do with a credit card during the customary Christmas shopping season.

What we do is to exchange "love coupons" that others can cash in during the coming year. Some fun, creative ideas we have used:

• I will do your chores today (or for a week)
• One bike ride with me
• Saturday morning with me, including lunch at a restaurant
• One game of your choice with me
• Get out of a lecture free (ŕ la Monopoly®, teens will love it)
• Choice of dinner tomorrow evening
• One trip to the theme park of your choice
• One night of camping with me in the back yard
• One round of miniature golf
• Extra time on the computer/Playstation
• Wash the family car
• Help with the laundry
• Back scratch
• Big hug
• I will make you fresh coffee (reusable coupon)--Mom likes this one

Some of these ideas require spending money, but many don't. All involve a gift of time, a commodity of great value to everyone. A bonus benefit is that it will get our kids thinking about what they can do for one another. To keep the gift going all year and avoid all of the coupons being used by December 27, we set a range of dates for each coupon. For example, I may give each child 12 "do your chores" coupons, with each one useable no earlier than a set date. For coupons such as this one, that cover repeated activities, we clip them with a hole punch for each use.

At first, my wife was skeptical, wondering how the kids would react to the idea of not getting traditional gifts for Christmas. But to our mutual surprise and delight, they liked the idea, and have looked forward to it each year. One of our boys even remarked, "We really do have all of the things we need, and there isn't much space left in our rooms for more toys." (Thank you, Lord!)

We do continue to give the kids the usual kinds of presents on their birthdays.

Giving love in place of stuff offers kids the excitement of something truly different to anticipate, but more importantly than that, it enables us as a family to focus on the cost that God paid in giving Himself for us. He is the most lavish Giver of all.

May the extravagant God of creation fill your heart with His wonder!

Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef. Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef. Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef. Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef. Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef. Christmas, Jesus, peace on earth, peace,Christians, materialism, families, family, presents, love, gift ideas, coupons, God, bccddde, cddeeef.