December 2008 When you read this column some of you will likely say to yourself, “Nice idea, a bit naïve, but not practical.” Or you might retort, “You do it first and then we will consider following your lead,” challenging me to put my money where my “mouth” is. Being December you might even fear a diatribe against our excessive materialistic splurges, a common “preacher-speak” during the holiday season. Or, could old Pastor Don finally be coming forth with an anti-Santa sermon? No, it is none of the above.
Here’s what I have been thinking: Many of you, young and old, participated last month in “Operation Christmas Child,” filling shoe boxes with toys, toiletries, and goodies to send to desperate children worldwide. Our children and youth participated with adults and found meaning and purpose in sharing with others. Our Sunday School children are getting excited about helping to build a bridge of friendship with children at the Rota School in Zimbabwe. In July our UMYF participated in Camp Hope and found hope for themselves when giving it to others. When we are a blessing, it seems we too are blessed. As a nation we are in a serious economic downturn and many families will find it difficult to have that traditional Christmas splurge. What a great time to teach our children and grandchildren about sharing and finding meaning in things other than toys, games, electronics, and gadgets. Could we use this shared national and international recession to place more emphasis on relationships and sharing with our children? In a recent NPR interview with Marion Wright Edelman, the Director of the National Children’s Defense Fund, an advocacy organization for the needs of children, she was commenting on the real needs of children. She referred to a sickness that many children suffer from in our nation, one that she called “affluenza.” You can imagine the nature of the illness. It is when children have so many material possessions that they do not appreciate “enough,” only “more,” and the more is too often a substitute offered by adults who have insufficient time or interest to offer themelves in meaningful relationships. A statement by Mohandas Gandhi caught my attention and seems to have application here. He said, “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” What Jesus taught us, by word and example, is that in love and service we find the meaning of our lives, not in collecting and consuming. Through the Holy Spirit we too have been given the gifts of love and talents to share with others. What if this Christmas we would offer our children and grandchildren gifts of time and experiences, with us, that cost no money: a hike, a game, a building project, visiting a shut-in, helping at a food bank or homeless shelter, or learning about an environmental problem then doing something about it. Learning to love and serve by doing, with someone who loves them very much,…could we give them a better Christmas gift? May Christmas be a time of loving, caring, serving, and celebrating God’s gift of life to you and your family! Love, Joy, and Peace, The Lamplighter is the official monthly newsletter of the Ward's Chapel United Methodist Church. The Pastor's Corner message changes monthly.
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