Are u Dreading a Christmas Financial Burden?

A recent Think Finance poll showed that 45% of Americans would rather SKIP CHRISTMAS because of the financial stress and strain on their precarious finances.  They do not expect to have enough money to cover holiday expenses, which is understandable when you consider how many people live paycheck to paycheck.  Thus many are seeking ways to spend less during the holidays.  So I’d like to offer a few ways to limit or reduce your holiday expenses.

To get a handle on how much you spend on the holidays, make a list of those you give presents to and other holiday expenses, that shows about how much you spend on each.  Add up the total, and compare it to the funds you will have available.  Try to reduce or avoid charging things on your credit card.

Could you explain to some of those whom you usually give to, that you’re struggling financially or had unexpected bills, and plan a more modest Christmas?  They would understand if you could not afford to give them a gift. 

Consider an alternative such as a homemade gift or a card with a note about why that person means so much to you or what you appreciate about her.  Could you give him a dozen homemade cookies or another baked item? 

Read the Bible’s warnings about taking on debt in Proverbs 22:7, 26-27 and Deuteronomy 15:6.  Then refuse to feel guilty about not being able to give someone an expensive gift or perhaps any gift. 

Ask yourself if everyone on your list actually needs a gift?  Perhaps you could make a gift to a charity or ministry in someone’s name, instead of giving a gift.  About 7 years ago, my in-laws told their large family that they were going to use the money they’d used for Christmas gifts in the past, to support a mission project that Dad was involved in.  We felt good because we knew that those who were blessed through the mission project, needed the help much more than we family members did.  Could you do something like this?

Most importantly, focus on the MEANING of the Christmas season.  Picture the nativity scene with the poor shepherds and Mary and Joseph who were also poor.  The innkeeper was the only one with money, but was overwhelmed by his business.  The point is that Christmas is NOT primarily about money or things.  Everyone focused on the CHRIST-CHILD in the manger.  Christ-followers today need to focus on the same Christ-Child.

When your holiday financial burden is reduced, you’ll feel much more peace and joy.

Finding Light in Dark Times

We’re entering that season known as the holidays.  This season can be a hard time for those who are feeling down or depressed.  The days are shorter, and the nights are longer.  Holiday parties can mean feeling pressured to spend time with people that you’d rather not.  The music, festivities and joy can remind some that their lives are not joyful.  In short, the holidays can deepen one’s dark feelings.

Elijah is a good example of how God leads us to do simple things.  Elijah was running for his life, afraid and depressed, and God stepped in.  

“He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.  All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”   I Kings 19:4-5

Elijah awoke, ate and drank, and then slept again.  These simple things were God’s way of beginning to lead him out of his depression.  These first steps were simple ones: eat and rest. 

If you’re feeling down during this holiday season, you might want to check to see how you’re taking care of yourself.  Are you getting enough nourishment and rest?  These are simple, practical things that we can do to take care of ourselves, so that we might serve the One whose birth we are preparing to celebrate.

A Hero of Service and Sacrifice

Of all the news stories about Hurricane Sandy, this one caught my eye.  It was titled, “NYPD officer dies after helping save 7 family members.”  NYC police officer Artur Kasprzak had helped move 6 adults and his toddler nephew into his home’s attic, to escape the rising floodwaters on Oct. 30. 

Then Kasprzak went back down to his father’s basement to look for his father.  Unknown to him, his father had already left the house and was on his way up to the attic by a different path.  Arter didn’t return, and later his body was found in the basement.  One online comment posted after the story said, “May God rest his soul.  He died in an honorable way.”

The way in which he lost his life shows his love for his family.  He risked his life and died because of his love for his father.  I think of those who’ve had bad relationships with our fathers, and I wonder how many of us would have done that, if we’d been in that kind of situation.  Artur made the ultimate sacrifice for his father, in sacrificing his own life for him.  Kasprzak died like Jesus died, in giving up his life for someone else.  Would you sacrifice your life for someone you love?  That is true service and devotion. 

Some Christ-followers don’t seem willing to make such sacrifice for our Heavenly Father or the Lord Jesus, but then we see a story like this one, and are reminded of those who have made such deep sacrifices.  I think of a middle-aged man and his wife with a beautiful suburban home which they sold so that they could serve a poor, urban ministry.  I think of those who’ve accepted the call to serve the Lord overseas.  There have been many believers in nations that persecuted Christ-followers, who were executed because they refused to deny the Lordship of Christ.

Some ask, Where was God in this disaster that killed so many.  I believe God was in the countless sacrificial actions of people like Artur Kasprzak.  God was in the actions of rescuers who risked their lives to save many in Sandy’s floodwaters.  God was in the decisions of elected officials who put the welfare of their citizens above political matters. 

Jesus said “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”  (Mark 10:43-45).    You and I have opportunities to serve our families and make sacrifices for others.  Be a hero for someone this week.