Perceptions #200227

Family Holiday Priorities

by Norman and Ann Bales

Christmas can be a confusing time of the year for families. So much of it is good - getting together, sharing gifts, focusing on the blessings that Jesus has brought into our lives. We're not among those who think it is a good idea to ignore Jesus as this time of year. We love the season, but there are also some things that concern us

Expectations. We ran headlong into this one several years ago when our family came together after having been apart for quite some time. Shortly after we got together, we found ourselves embroiled in conflict over inconsequential matters. We finally realized that we all came with different expectations. We've learned we can enjoy being with family much better if we come together with no expectations other than the joy of being together.

Overspending. We are children of the Great Depression and we can remember times when there weren't too many material things to be shared. Rich kids got the Lionel trains and the Radio Flyer wagons. Neither our friends nor we could expect to be so blessed. As times have become more prosperous, we seem determined to make up the ground we lost. In the process family budgets get strained and we create an atmosphere of ingratitude. Why do so many people return their gifts to the stores on December 26th? We have to believe there's more to it than simply having received a wrong sized garment or a duplication of gifts. Maybe we're a little bit spoiled and greedy.

Moral let down. Who can forget John Denver's song, "Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas?" Unfortunately the song echoes reality in many homes. Instead of being a time of joy, it's a nightmare. How anyone can connect that kind of behavior with the birth of Christ is beyond our understanding.

Seasonal Charity. Why does the spirit of good will, the desire to help the poor and the downtrodden have to be confined to the Christmas season? We're glad that people think about others at this season, but hungry people need to eat the rest of the year too.

Let's think about our family priorities this year. Let's make sure that Christ is at the center of our lives regardless of the season.

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