::Today's "Saturday:: something to think about" comes from my good friend Calvin.
Calvin: "yep, Christmas is just around the corner.
And what better way to celebrate a religious holiday than with a month of frenzied consumerism."
Hobbes: "I'm surprised other religions haven't picked up on that."
Calvin: "Getting loads of loot is a very spiritual experience for me."
::
I wonder what message it sends to the children of this generation that we spend a month in madness trying to prepare for one day, Christmas. We don't spend a month preparing for Easter, birthdays, St. Patrick's Day, or even Arbor Day. Why do we do it for Christmas?
I know the idea behind gift giving at Christmas time and I've read up on St. Nicholas. I know that I enjoy wrapping up and giving gifts. I know I like to receive gifts. But why on earth does it consume our minds from somewhere in the middle of November until the morning of December 25th? What is it that causes stress, arguments and even drives some to murder over a stupid fad of a toy that won't be cool in January?
::
How can we teach our children that the mailers full of toys are not what Christmas is really about? How can we change the tone from one of "get! get! get!" to one of thankfulness of the ultimate gift which is salvation? I will strive this year to help take the focus off gifts and onto the position of our hearts towards the man of which we celebrate: Jesus.
Calvin: "yep, Christmas is just around the corner.
And what better way to celebrate a religious holiday than with a month of frenzied consumerism."
Hobbes: "I'm surprised other religions haven't picked up on that."
Calvin: "Getting loads of loot is a very spiritual experience for me."
::
I wonder what message it sends to the children of this generation that we spend a month in madness trying to prepare for one day, Christmas. We don't spend a month preparing for Easter, birthdays, St. Patrick's Day, or even Arbor Day. Why do we do it for Christmas?
I know the idea behind gift giving at Christmas time and I've read up on St. Nicholas. I know that I enjoy wrapping up and giving gifts. I know I like to receive gifts. But why on earth does it consume our minds from somewhere in the middle of November until the morning of December 25th? What is it that causes stress, arguments and even drives some to murder over a stupid fad of a toy that won't be cool in January?
::
How can we teach our children that the mailers full of toys are not what Christmas is really about? How can we change the tone from one of "get! get! get!" to one of thankfulness of the ultimate gift which is salvation? I will strive this year to help take the focus off gifts and onto the position of our hearts towards the man of which we celebrate: Jesus.
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