Christmas, Jesus, kids, gifts, consumerism

As we begin to think about Christmas and all of the joys that it brings, I also begin to think about our kids and all of the questions that this season brings. This comes early this year because we are going to be exchanging gifts at my mom's house over Thanksgiving. When I come to this topic I come with a few givens.

1. This season is about the most important gift ever given: the gift of the incarnate savior Jesus Christ and his eventual death, resurrection and redemption.
2. Secondarily, the holidays are about being together with family and people that we love. As part of this, we give and receive gifts that are expressions of that love.
3. If anything in #2 takes away from #1 it should be subordinated until #1 is paramount.
4. Our culture makes the main part of this season getting the things that you want out of the Toys 'r Us circular (or Best Buy in my case.)

So with these givens stated, here's my question? What do you and your family or what did you and your family (if your family is gone) do to make sure that Christmas did not lose the focus of Jesus and time with loved ones? One thing that we are going to try this year, that we stole from our good friends the Arendts, is that we are going to give the kids three gifts. We'll talk about how Jesus was given three gifts as well. I think we are going to try and do our gift giving with just our family at home. In the past we've done it as a part of other celebrations. I long for my kids (and me) to be protected from the sweaty palmed madness of materialism/consumerism. It's a tough one and I think it may be something that they need to eventually battle on their own. What do you think? I'd love to read your comments.

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