GIVE SOME LOVE

It is hard to believe! Christmas Day is only 40 days from today. Truly, this is my favorite time of the year. Eggnog, Christmas tree decorating, cold weather, watching Christmas Vacation, the seasonal tunes, the gifts, O the bliss! I mean it does not get much better than this right? For some who have not left this stage of life. Stay there as long as you can! It is a beautiful and merry time of life.

Note to the receiver: (If you are 13 years and younger stop reading here)!

For others on the fringes or who may be way on the other side of the blissfulness you know what time of year it is. It is that time to begin asking the infamous question. Yes, you know the question. That one you seem to ask with such joy and enthusiasm because no one should be a Scrooge this time a year, yet deep down hoping could be whispered out the corner of your mouth, knowing that its very words in the right persons ears could be the end of that rather large savings account you intended on not touching for another two years. Yes the days of the great asking are quickly approaching.

"So, (insert name), what do you want this year for Christmas?"

I might be making myself a little to vulnerable here. You might be thinking by this point, "Well Shawn this doesn't sound to merry and your suppost to be merry during Christmas. He must be one of the greedy ones!" Stay with me! Granted this may be the scrooge in me coming for a visit. But then again was Scrooge not created by the capitalist as a reminder to the consumer? Maybe not, Charles Dickens actually made him up, still.

I am quite astonded by how, I, over the last several years, have transitioned from a mindset of what the Christmas season has BECOME into what it SHOULD be about. Indeed, the holiday season at least for the follower of Jesus Christ, marks the beginning of the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus the Christ. However, over the centuries, I am guessing, the celebration of Christmas has evolved from a celebration of a man and the salvation He has provided into a celebration for both the capitalist and for the consumer. It has transitioned into a celebration for all to add to their collection of stuff! It is a season for the consumer in all of us to shine and for the capitalist to make a buck. Yet it is true, my mindset of what giving and receiving has been framed by both the blessing and the cures of our society, plenty. Now I know this might sound quite harsh as this observation quickly points the finger. Yet, I would say that it might not be to far away from the truth.

Some give to make themselves feel good, some give to receive, some only receive because they don't have the means to give, some give for the sake of meeting a need to those who rarely receive, while others give because they love those they give to. Who are you? I tend to be all the above with the last of these used the least. Here is a concluding thought to wrap all of this up.

Christmas is not so much about being a consumer nor is it really about being a doner. It is not about getting a gift for those who already have to meet a want nor is it about getting a gift for those who have not so that you can feel a sweet feeling. Rather Christmas is the day we can celebrate the day humanity was first loved. It is a day humanity can corporately celebrate their ability to look at others and love them whether they be a loved one or a least one. Is it not true that we can love because we were first loved? Let Christmas be a celebration of the incarnation of love in flesh and blood. Use your ability not to be a consumer this year nor a doner. Use your ability to be a lover. Let love motivate your wallet. Let love motivate the gift.

Here is one way to love this year. Visit Gospel for Asia Christmas to start giving some love!