Calling All Scrooges

This year I have been somewhat of a scrooge. I sat on the sofa and watched as Debbie decorated the tree. I did all my shopping online in about 45 minutes. So maybe it is true, possibly I am a Scrooge. What then can I do to recapture the magic of Christmas.

Last Friday, I did something that helped. I, along with Debbie and her brother Dan, went to New York City. We had a great time. We window shopped, went to FAO Schwartz, walked around Central Park, ate in Little Italy, and attended the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. I can say now, because of Santa and the Rockettes, I have regained some of the Christmas magic.

What was it that Santa and the Rockettes did to re-ignite the magic? During their show, two dramatic numbers taught me three lessons:

1) Develop the right attitude toward gifting. Often I find that I am a competitve gifter. If someone gives me something, I feel inclined to gift them back with a gift of greater value. What I should do is find the right gift. Santa said in the spectacular, "The right gift will find you." This is liberating, because I do not need to worry about monetary value. In our relationship with God, we find that we cannot out give Him. Once we realize this, the fact that we are free from trying to impress God, then we can truly begin to understand His grace.

2) Quit filling Christmas with junk. Do we really need another coffee mug, candy we should not eat, or knick-knacks that take up space and attract dust? Focus on value, quality, not items meant for the dump or the re-gift drawer. Again in the show, Santa stressed the right gift. The boys located the perfect rag doll, with the help of the Rockettes, for their sister. In our relationship with God, He asks us to give of ourselves (Romans 12:1,2) Maybe this should be our practice in our Christmas giving.

3) Finally, get the focus of the holiday back on Jesus Christ. Recently, I attempted to buy a Christmas card with Jesus on the front. Out of 200 cards, I could only find one that had a spiritual theme. Just because our culture is shifting away from the Christ of Christmas, we do not have to do the same. The final, and most dramatic scene at Radio City Music Hall was the recreation of the Nativity. Through Scripture reading, song, sets, and acting, the good news of Jesus Christ was clearly presented. It changed the entire event and was a blessing to all.

So I think I will work on making Christmas simple, the giving of self, and with a focus on Jesus.
-Mark


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