Cedric Moss
12-03-03, - 10:29 PM
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Making Christmas More Meaningful
By Apostle Cedric Moss
I can still recall my childhood approach to Christmas, and that of my parents. In my mind, I would have this long list of “cool” toys I wanted for Christmas. And that list grew as I talked to friends who heard about toys I had not heard of. Christmas could not come soon enough for me to see what toys I would get! Well, fortunately (back then I found it unfortunate!) for me, my parents were always sober about celebrating Christmas and keeping Christ in the centre of it. So my long “wish list” never materialized.
Looking back now, I can see how their approach to Christmas has shaped my own. So today, I would like to share with parents some of what I have experienced and learnt about protecting children from excessive commercialization during Christmas.
Be Intentional
First of all, be intentional about taking a little extra time during the weeks leading up to Christmas and coach your children through them. Use the enticing commercials, appealing toy displays and other Christmas marketing strategies as teaching moments to show them how easily we can be seduced into commercialization and increased materialism at this time of year. Look for opportunities to remind them that Christmas is the day set aside to celebrate God’s giving of the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of the world. Also, remind them that these excesses do not honor Christ.
Be Honest
I’ve also learnt the importance of being honest with your children about Santa Claus. Now this might not apply to you, but it is a real issue for some parents. Some time ago, I heard about a teacher in Canada who was suspended because she told students their parents bought their gifts, NOT Santa. Parents were highly upset and the school suspended her for telling the truth! Friends, I know from personal experience that it does not hurt a child to know the truth about Santa…my parents were truthful with me and I turned out fine!
Actually, telling children the truth will help them to be more realistic with gift expectations when they know that their parents have to BUY those gifts with hard earned MONEY! So tell them that Santa is not real and the gifts you buy for them are in the spirit of giving at Christmas – because God gave us His best gift, Jesus Christ, we give to each other. When they become adults, they will trust you more.
Be Responsible
When deciding upon gifts for your children, I encourage you to be responsible. It’s not wise to buy your children all the gifts they want, even if you can afford to. This way, from an early age, you teach them important values like prioritizing, sacrifice, saving and moderation. Also, do your best to ensure that gifts match the child’s age and maturity. When children are showered with expensive, excessive gifts, it hurts them and encourages materialism. Consciously buy toys that are fun, educational and positive for developing healthy children.
Center on Jesus Christ
Here is my last point. Allow the Biblical accounts of Christ’s birth to become fresh again in your and your children’s hearts. There are three Gospel books that recount the event of Christ’s birth; Matthew, Mark and Luke. Take time to read these accounts. For families with younger children, use the simple story accounts in Children’s Bibles for family devotions in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This will help to keep Christ at the center of activities. Allow these times of family devotions that focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, and church related events to moderate the pull of commercialization and materialism.
The above tips are not exhaustive but I trust they will help all of us with our responsibilities to raise healthy children who honor the Lord with their life. May His hand and grace be upon us as we do this important work of making Christmas more meaningful for them and ourselves!
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org (apostle@kingdom-life.org).
Making Christmas More Meaningful
By Apostle Cedric Moss
I can still recall my childhood approach to Christmas, and that of my parents. In my mind, I would have this long list of “cool” toys I wanted for Christmas. And that list grew as I talked to friends who heard about toys I had not heard of. Christmas could not come soon enough for me to see what toys I would get! Well, fortunately (back then I found it unfortunate!) for me, my parents were always sober about celebrating Christmas and keeping Christ in the centre of it. So my long “wish list” never materialized.
Looking back now, I can see how their approach to Christmas has shaped my own. So today, I would like to share with parents some of what I have experienced and learnt about protecting children from excessive commercialization during Christmas.
Be Intentional
First of all, be intentional about taking a little extra time during the weeks leading up to Christmas and coach your children through them. Use the enticing commercials, appealing toy displays and other Christmas marketing strategies as teaching moments to show them how easily we can be seduced into commercialization and increased materialism at this time of year. Look for opportunities to remind them that Christmas is the day set aside to celebrate God’s giving of the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of the world. Also, remind them that these excesses do not honor Christ.
Be Honest
I’ve also learnt the importance of being honest with your children about Santa Claus. Now this might not apply to you, but it is a real issue for some parents. Some time ago, I heard about a teacher in Canada who was suspended because she told students their parents bought their gifts, NOT Santa. Parents were highly upset and the school suspended her for telling the truth! Friends, I know from personal experience that it does not hurt a child to know the truth about Santa…my parents were truthful with me and I turned out fine!
Actually, telling children the truth will help them to be more realistic with gift expectations when they know that their parents have to BUY those gifts with hard earned MONEY! So tell them that Santa is not real and the gifts you buy for them are in the spirit of giving at Christmas – because God gave us His best gift, Jesus Christ, we give to each other. When they become adults, they will trust you more.
Be Responsible
When deciding upon gifts for your children, I encourage you to be responsible. It’s not wise to buy your children all the gifts they want, even if you can afford to. This way, from an early age, you teach them important values like prioritizing, sacrifice, saving and moderation. Also, do your best to ensure that gifts match the child’s age and maturity. When children are showered with expensive, excessive gifts, it hurts them and encourages materialism. Consciously buy toys that are fun, educational and positive for developing healthy children.
Center on Jesus Christ
Here is my last point. Allow the Biblical accounts of Christ’s birth to become fresh again in your and your children’s hearts. There are three Gospel books that recount the event of Christ’s birth; Matthew, Mark and Luke. Take time to read these accounts. For families with younger children, use the simple story accounts in Children’s Bibles for family devotions in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This will help to keep Christ at the center of activities. Allow these times of family devotions that focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, and church related events to moderate the pull of commercialization and materialism.
The above tips are not exhaustive but I trust they will help all of us with our responsibilities to raise healthy children who honor the Lord with their life. May His hand and grace be upon us as we do this important work of making Christmas more meaningful for them and ourselves!
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Comments and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org (apostle@kingdom-life.org).