To get the most out of this Christmas season, view shopping in a new perspective: not as a duty but as a blessing. You also need to take a second look at your list and add a few names that have never been on it before. How do you do this? Where do you start?
With so many voices encouraging us to shop till we drop, it’s important to first open one of the Advent calendar doors to highlight Jesus’ thoughts on giving. Jesus focused on those whose needs were such that any gift they received would be embraced and treasured.
The King will say to those on his right, …”I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
As you begin the buying season, allow Christ’s words to give your shopping a new perspective. Before buying for your family, buy for someone in great need. Don’t do it by yourself; get the kids, the grandkids, and your friends involved.
Almost fifty years ago country music legend Willie Nelson was literally starving to death in Nashville, Tennessee. He was broke. One cold December afternoon, as the singer-songwriter wandered the streets of Music City, he noticed the merriment, the joy, and the excitement of the Christmas season. Nelson noticed something else too: a homeless man who had even less than he did. Both horrified and inspired, Wille went home and wrote a song called “Pretty Paper.” In 1963 Nelson’s socially inspired number became a big holiday hit for Roy Orbison. It has remained one of the season’s most beloved songs. The melody Willie composed is so bright and cheery, most who hear it don’t really listen to the words. If they did, they would learn the story of a man who really was “the least of these.” And like most of the world’s poor, he was forgotten and overlooked. Listen closely to this song. You will come to know a person who noticed and who asked about that needy person:
Should I stop, Better not, Much too busy.
Not many Christmases ago I was given the name of a woman in our community who didn’t have enough money to buy gifts for her children. Armed with the names and ages of the kids, my wife and I went to the mall. The trip was not only uplifting; it was challenging. What do you buy for kids whose mother probably can’t afford batteries and who don’t have a DVD player? Because the purchases required thought, they took on more meaning. This was no rushed experience; each new purchase was made with extreme care. We were even able to challenge our children to become involved, by asking them to put themselves in the position of the kids from that family. What would they want if they had nothing? What would be important to them? Thus, our boys helped in the choices as our family was completely caught up in the spirit of giving.
Armed with several sacks filled with gifts, we raced home to begin wrapping these treasures. Because they had become so important to us, because we had so much of ourselves invested in them, we made sure each present was perfectly covered with the brightest, most beautiful paper we could find. After the ribbons were tied and the name tags attached, we drove to the other side of town to meet the family.
As we walked into their drafty home, several things hit me. The first was just how little this mother and her three children had. There was hardly any furniture. The beds were nothing more than mattresses on the floor. Only one room in the entire home was heated. The kids were wearing hand me down clothing, and the mom was dressed in a sweater she must have gotten dozen years before. Yet their smiles, as they saw the sacks of gifts, lit up the room like a searchlight. Suddenly the chill was replaced with warmth created by anticipation, joy and obvious gratitude. They had given up on Christmas, and it had come anyway. Their prayers had been answered.
I watched the children carefully tear into their packages. I heard their laughter and saw eyes that reflected the happiness in their hearts. I wanted to hold on to the moment forever. I wanted to embrace it and share it with others, for I had experienced the true joy of giving. This was what Christmas was all about. This made it meaningful.
But all too soon it was over. As we got up to leave, the three year old girl grabbed my hand and asked if I would see their Christmas tree. I could hear the excitement in her voice and knew she was awfully proud of this symbol of holiday cheer. I gladly followed her into a chilly bedroom. There, tacked to the wall, was a single string of green lights. She laughed and giggled, thrilled at how beautiful her “tree” was. A dozen lights were all she had, and yet she saw them as the most magnificent tree in the world. My eyes clouded with tears. Her simple and joyful vision of Christmas put mine to shame.
The next time you see a sidewalk Santa ringing his bell, think about those who are receiving the gifts bought with that money. While it’s good to toss a coin into the pot, that’s only a starting point.
To maintain the true spirit of Christmas and experience the joy of the season, put the name of someone who is not on anyone else’s list at the top of your list. Churches and local governments have lists of those who have fallen on hard times. Contact the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. One or two calls can get you the name of a family in need of help this year. Get your whole family involved. Show the real meaning of giving by not just buying gifts and wrapping them but delivering them too. Together. Then those you love will come to understand the real impact of Christ’s primary directive found in Matthew 25.
You have the time to do something. You have the time to get others involved with you. Shelters for the homeless, children’s homes, and food kitchens are always in need. Schools know which families need food and clothing. Senior citizens may be facing a lonely Christmas because their families won’t be coming home for the holiday. These older folks may not have physical needs, but the gift of a visit or a plate of homemade cookies is a way to bring Matthew 25 to life. By doing for others, you follow in the footsteps of the one whose spirit is still very much alive.
More than a thousand years ago, the son of Duke Borivoy of Bohemia became the leader of his country. He assumed the crown when he was just fifteen years old. Raised by a devoted Christian mother, King Wenceslas had traces of the wisdom of Solomon, combined with the compassion of Christ.
To fully understand his subjects, King Wenceslas walked the streets of his nation and visited the people. He asked them about their problems and needs. He used their ideas to create a more open and friendly government. In a revolutionary move, he reformed his government and reshaped the nation to be built on justice and mercy. He reduced taxes and improved public services. Harsh laws common in the Dark Ages were tossed out as he created new edicts that brought light to a hopeless world. Yet that was only the beginning.
When he came upon abject poverty, King Wenceslas would send his pages back to his castle to get food and clothing. As he gav e away much of his wealth, he explained that he was just following the example of his own King, Jesus. In large part due to King Wenceslas’s generosity and kindness, thousands of pagan peasants turned to Christianity. It was a revival unlike any ever seen in the country.
Centuries before gift-giving became a part of the holiday tradition, the young leader embraced Christmas like no one ever had. Each Christmas Eve, he left his castle seeking out the neediest in his kingdom. Though often faced with terrible cold and blizzards, King Wenceslas never missed his rounds. With his pages at this side, Wenceslas delivered food, firewood, and clothing. After greeting all in a household, he would pray with the group and move on to the next home. To fully enjoy this holiday season, embrace the joy not just of giving but also of giving to those whose needs are great. By following in the footsteps of a king who helped inspire the fictional Santa, by embracing Christ’s words in Matthew 25, by seeking a Christmas beyond the pretty paper and elaborate decorations, and by opening your eyes to the plight of those around you, you will feel the real meaning of the season in your soul, and your shopping experience will be one you will never forget.
A Shortcut to the Spirit of the Season
Finding those in need is easy. Local malls and churches have an Angel Tree. The Marines always collect gifts for needy children through their Toys for Tots program.
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