More than Stuff

 

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6 ESV).

 

Today you light the third advent candle… it is the candle of joy. Traditionally, the Christmas practice of advent revolves around four words: love, peace, hope, and joy. Throughout the world, the month of December turns into a spending frenzy as millions of people, regardless of their thoughts about Jesus, pour more money than they can afford into a gift-buying extravaganza. At the end of the day, what people are trying to buy is happiness for their loved ones. That is not a bad thing, though it cannot be accomplished with “stuff.” Let me suggest some ways you can bring joy to your family and others this season.

 

§  First, be generous. It’s always more fun and more rewarding to give. Seek out opportunities to give as a family. Let generosity be one of your family’s commitments.

§  Second, be present. This means paying attention to others. It means controlling our emotions and reactions to those things that might not go exactly as we desire.

§  Third, give hope to someone else. There are plenty of people who are struggling this year. Find a family project that brings hope to someone else this Christmas.

§  Fourth, don’t miss the central truth about Christmas. Make sure your family centers activities around the true meaning of Christmas. This time of year will mean so much more.

§  Fifth, be intentional about making memories. The best way to do this is through celebration. Christmas is a celebration, not a chore. Don’t let the busyness spoil the fun.

§  Sixth, follow through with your promises. If you say you are going to do something, then follow through. Make sure your family knows they can count on you, not for stuff and not just for fun. Help them to know they can count on you for as much future as God shall give to you.

 

My prayer for you is that the God of all grace and good will give you joy this season. Remember, it is not “happiness” that we should seek, though that is a good thing too. We should seek joy. That comes in the knowledge of the coming of our Savior!