How to Keep the Grinch from Stealing Christmas
 
I'm making my list.....checking it twice.....standing in line for this
worthless device....
 
Ahh, it's the time of year when the world when the world falls in love,
every sound you hear seems to say..Buy, Buy, Buy!  Gotta find that item on
your list that everyone else is looking for, too and selling for a mere
mark up of  $1200 on E-bay!
 
In case its not blazingly apparent, I just got home from Christmas
shopping, and my cheeks are just the slightest tinge of Grinch green.  It
seems our society has replaced the Spirit of Christmas with the Spirit of
Consuming.  Everywhere you go people have caught that virus going around
called "affluenza."  How do we keep the miserly Grinch from stealing the
true Spirit of Christmas that should be filling our homes and our hearts?
 
The apostle Paul seemed to have discovered the key.  He wrote from prison,
"How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are concerned about
me again." (Phil 4:10)
 
For Paul, the key to happiness begins with an "attitude of gratitude" that
we're beginning to hear about today. He learned that hardship or prison
can actually make you grateful for things that may otherwise go unnoticed.
In fact, having less tends to make us more grateful! Surveys show that in
1957, before computers, microwaves, Nintendo and Barney, people were more
content than they are today. 

On the other hand, affluence tends to breed ungrateful and discontented
people.  In the midst of chains, Paul was grateful!  But in the midst of
all our plenty, we often find ourselves like the little girl who was
unhappy with her plate full of food and prayed, "Jesus I forgive you for
this food."
 
Paul goes on to share more about his secret for happy living. "Not that I
was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I
have much or little, I know how to live on almost nothing or with
everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation,
whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."
 
Along with an attitude of gratitude, Paul had learned to be content. 
Contentment may not come easy in our culture. We have to work at
it--especially in a society where everywhere you turn you are being
encouraged to buy 4-wheel drives you don't need and to live a lifestyle
outside your means to impress someone you barely know!  But contentment is
something you can learn.

Paul learned to be content with little or much because his happiness did
not come from things.  His happiness was in Jesus.  He had learned that he
could "do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I
need.."
Paul had learned to rely on God for his joy. He learned that God used him
no matter what circumstances he was in.
 
  This Christmas, let's keep the true Spirit of Christmas alive in our
hearts and in our homes.  Rather than being consumed by consuming, let's
show a Spirit of gratitude by giving to others and giving to God.  Let's
ask ourselves, "Do I really NEED it? Do I want to dust that?  Is there
anything I already have that I can substitute for that?  Can I get by
without it?"

Then like the church in Philippi that gave to Paul in his time of need,
let's give back to the One who came to give His life for us.  For "this is
the sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases Him."
(Philippians 4:10-18)

O Come Let us Adore Him,

Jan
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 Alternative Gifts
Skills
Take assessment of your skills.  Can you trim hair?  Then offer a haircut.
Are you a plumber or carpenter?  Then perhaps someone on your list could
use your talents.  Do you own a van?  Perhaps you could use it to
transport a large number of kids for a special event.  Can you do resumes
or spreadsheets on your PC?  These kinds of practical gifts are wonderful
and useful, and often come in right when needed.

Gifts in Place of Gifts
A friend shared a story of a family who coached inner city kids in
wrestling.  The kids needed equipment, so the wife purchased the needed
equipment and gave a card to her husband telling what she'd purchased.
This tradition carried on for years, and grew to include the whole family.
It still continues, even thought the father passed away.  Perhaps you
could give a gift to others in place or honor of your family member.

Gifts of Time
Your time can sometimes be the most valuable gift you have to give.
Taking the time to cook a meal for a busy family, read stories at the
local library, tutor, or baby-sit can be treasured.

Scrapbook
With a little time and effort, you can make up a wonderful scrapbook about
a certain person or special event.  You can collect precious photos (color
copy them if you can't keep the original-color copies work great) and put
it together.

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Thoughts Worth Thinking:

Santa Claus never died for anybody
- Craig Wilson

God had an only Son and made Him a missionary
- David Livingstone

"Hope thou in God!"  Psalm 42:5
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copyright 2000, Mercydrops.com


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