Monday night at the dinner table (yes, sometimes we eat together as a family…weird huh?) we opened up our “Window Box” and one of the questions was: “What is your favorite things about Christmas?” We went around the table and got answers like: “Spending time with family” and of course, “Presents!!”
When this last answer came up I asked the child who gave this answer (who shall remain anonymous) if s/he would still like Christmas as much if we didn’t have presents. The answer? “NO!”
The follow-up: “What would your favorite holiday be then?” Answer: “Halloween” (thankfully this is because of the candy…nothing else).
It seems we still have some work to do in our household. The modern culture of Christmas has managed to wiggle its way into our home despite our efforts otherwise. We really do focus on the true meaning and reason for Christmas…but we obviously must do better.
And I need to do better myself. Just this morning I read this passage of Scripture that God asked me to consider for my own spiritual life:
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person
will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Ephesians 5:5, NLT
Not much wiggle room there. Greed = Idolatry. Period. DO I worship the things of this world (i.e.: that fancy new gadget, the big screen TV) or do I worship ONLY God?
Like I said…more work to do here…
grace