In an incredibly non-scientific poll, I asked what the favorite part of the Christmas season is. For the scientist out there, yes, it's a statistically insignificant sample size and those who participated are not random, but I still find the results facinating.
60% find their favorite part of the Christmas season to be honoring Christ's birth
20% look forward to spending time with family
20% are looking forward to January's arrival
Interestingly enough, 0% find giving or recieving gifts to be their favorite part. Why is that? The stress of finding "the perfect" gift? Wondering if it will fit... if they already have it... if they will need a reciept to return it? Or do we really look forward to the ceremony of honoring the birth of Christ?
If 100% of those who participated in the poll prefer something else over gift giving, isn't it interesting that we spend SO much time looking for gifts, talking about gifts, shipping gifts, reading advertisements and opening gifts?
Wouldn't it be interesting to cease the whole gift-giving exchange for one year? Instead we could have a birthday party for Jesus. The funds that we would have spent could be donated to your church of choice for missionary work... or homelessness... or to a family in need. After all, isn't that what happened on the very first Christmas...
Someone offered shelter to a family in need while shepherds and wise men became missionaries.
As a culture, we have been very blessed to have many opportunities, belongings and a high standard of living. God has seen fit to give us these blessings. I am as guilty as the next person for my self-indulgence, but sometimes we have to take a step back and genuinely honor how we got to where we are.
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I think this is typical of what happens with traditions in the church. Gift giving started out as a natural celebration of Christ...He gave us the ultimate gift and in celebration of his arrival we give each other something in a symbolic gesture. Then over the years the tradition replaces the purpose and it loses its meaning and becomes the focus.
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