Jesus Versus Stuff: The Real Battle We Face at Christmas
The holidays are here. I know this because my mailbox is overflowing with sale ads and circulars every single day. Sometime during the last decade, “Black Friday” turned into “Black Thursday Afternoon.” Stores used to open early at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, then some went to midnight, and in the last few years stores started opening at 5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Some people have protested by not shopping on Thanksgiving. But why is there even a need for protesting?
One word: stuff.
Clothes, toys, gadgets… all stuff. People wait in lines that wrap around buildings to purchase merchandise that can be lumped into the category of stuff. The desire for stuff only seems to be increasing. Now, not all stuff is bad. Giving thoughtfully chosen gifts is surely a good thing.
The question is, “How much stuff is too much?”
I have found that when I have too much stuff, it not only takes up valuable real estate in my home, but it also takes up valuable real estate in my heart. When our hearts become filled with concern for material possessions, it leaves little room for others, and most importantly, little room for Jesus. I want to be mindful of that.
There is so much focus on consumerism around Christmas that it distracts from the reason we celebrate: the birth of Jesus. Personally, I want to do all I can to keep my heart focused on Jesus, his birth and life and sacrifice. I also want to shine his light to others, to help them remember that he—not stuff—is the reason we celebrate.
To reinforce this, for the last few years we have implemented a “Christmas Angel.” It is similar to that popular elf you may have heard of, but our angel is different in that it leaves us messages every night about an act of service or kindness that we can do to share Jesus’ love. My kids have discovered messages telling them to ring the bell for the Salvation Army, donate toys or books to those in need, make cookies for the neighbors, leave candy canes on windshields, and much more. I’m not going to lie—it takes a lot of effort, but the outcome is worth it.
Every day in December, I am focusing my children’s attention on helping, serving, and showing the love of Jesus to others while also turning it away from consumerism. In a world where it is so easy to get caught up in wanting the next bigger, better and newer thing, I want to be intentional in where I invest my time, my talent, and my treasures. Taking the time to do this with my kids not only helps keep their hearts focused on Jesus, but mine as well.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 not to store up treasures for ourselves here on earth. Later, in Matthew 19, he tells a man to sell his possessions and give to the poor. By doing so, he would store up treasures in heaven.
I don’t want to spend my short time here on earth being overwhelmed and consumed by stuff. I want to live free from the bondage of stuff and invest where Jesus invested–in others.
[Tweet “What stuff is taking up too much room in your life and keeping you from investing in others?”]
What stuff is taking up too much room in your life and keeping you from investing in others? What do you need to let go of? Ask Jesus to reveal how he wants you to free up the real estate in your heart to focus more on him this Christmas season.
Heather Gerwing is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.
