Comments on: I Don’t Like Christmas (the Holiday Version)

By: Parke Ladd

Parke Ladd — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:53:34 +0000

@Katie,

I totally agree! I think our creativity is lacking, indeed. As you say, part of why we don’t know what to do with Christmas is because we have never taken a good, hard, long, creative look at what could be done instead of the typical response. So many times we get stuck because we wait until a week before Christmas to make a decision to not fall into the routine, and by that point in time it’s simply too late. We need to start earlier, cultivating a lifestyle of “loving by design” not simply giving a sum of money away or feeding the hungry one day a week. We need to cultivate the lifestyle and allow Christmas to be a time of really loving others in new and fascinating ways, not just by giving away gifts.

It’s so easy to fall into the routine of Christmas, especially when everyone around you is doing the same thing. Really, once one other person buys you a gift, you automatically feel responsible to give them one as well. Part of what the change will look like is making it known to those you love that you are going to be different and why you are choosing to be so. You’re right, it will be a bit awkward. But, as authentic Christians, I think that’s exactly what we are called to be. Awkward.

Thanks for all of your comments on this rather controversial topic.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:58:03 +0000

First off, thank you for being honest. I feel that around Christmas we can make a joke of this topic. We know we shouldn’t be following the consumer culture around us, but we laugh it off and tell everyone about how we have so much shopping left to do, and how we can’t think of a gift for so-and-so. We fall right in line with the world around us, and don’t challenge ourselves or each other because it’s fun, confortable and easy.

This year, we were going to try and do something different with our families. Maybe not get gifts, give money away, or do something together instead of gifts, etc… And to be honest, it started to become really awkward and we started to revert back to habit.

I think part of the problem, and let me know what you think about this, is that we aren’t being creative in how we love the people around us. As believers, Christmas should be celebrating Christ’s birth, and is my “gift” really pointing others to the love of Christ? What would it take to really be focused on Christ on Christmas? And are we really willing to face the awkwardness and frustrastion to do it.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

By: Jill Bieber

Jill Bieber — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:46:03 +0000

Thats Awesome Parke ! I agree !

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:19:44 +0000

Parke, your posts always leave me feeling perturbed and uncomfortable, my mind running in circles of thought. That’s a good thing. Thanks for the always fresh and raw perspective.

Just don’t look under our Christmas tree when you come over tonight…

By: Bill Wolfe

Bill Wolfe — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:54:22 +0000

Great post Parke. It does all come down to love. Some how we get sucked into the American culture that says we need to spend, spend, spend and buy lots of gifts.

I loved your statement about “In America, there is never a toy deficit”. I never thought about it like that.