There is an issue that lies close to my heart that burdens my spirits each Christmas. Each time the season of sleigh bells and the smell of pine trees comes around this issue resurfaces. One year maybe it will affect my Christmas and, therefore, affect all those around me. This is why I shy away from revealing this issue. Rather I allow it to gnaw away within me.

Why is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ associated with glutony, getting stuff, huddling together as close family and friends?

Is this not the very opposite of what our precious Saviour intended it to be?

  • Dear readers, my heart longs to abolish the big Christmas feast and fast rather for those who have nothing.
  • Dear readers, my heart longs to be giving the gifts of feeding the homeless, giving financial aid to those poor children with bloated bellies, pulling young girls out of sex slavery, and getting these gifts given in my name.
  • Dear readers, my heart longs to open the doors to those who nobody else wants to have in their homes disturbing their family Christmas.

This is serious stuff. This is what keeps me lying awake at night pondering.

How could I practically implement these? How could I say to my friends and family, “No, I’m fasting. I’m not having Christmas dinner.”? How could I tell those expecting a nice box tied up with a pretty bow with a sweater nicely folded inside that I purchased their gift out of the World Vision catalouge and actually they won’t be getting anything from me? How could I open the doors to others who need it by putting the rest of my family in discomfort? Is that loving?

If this, too, is a burden upon your heart I would be encouraged to hear that. Someday perhaps we can put Christmas back into a season of making our Father smile rather than turn away in shame.

What does Jesus say on the topic?

“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

-Luke 14:12-14

(The rest of the chapter is relevent to this, too)

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