Disgusted

Okay, so everyone has their "things" that are offensive to them. Especially when it comes to the Christmas season. I get increasingly frustrated each year with the over the top consumerism of the season. I saw something the other day that absolutely disgusted me. I was in a TJ Maxx store looking for some odds and ends when I noticed a display of dishes on an endcap. The graphic on the plate was a woman in a bubble bath tub with cucumber on her eyes and a "spa" treatment sort of scene. Around the rim of the art were the words, "O Come Let Us Adore Me." Seriously!?! I wanted to vomit.

I don't know why I was surprised, but I was. And then I was saddened by the fact that there would actually be a market for something so blasphemous. I know, I'm sheltered. But my heart just ached for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who would read that and laugh and not realize that there is so much more to life than that. That there is joy and hope and purpose that comes from choosing to lay down your own desires and die to yourself and instead worship the only one who is worthy of our adoration.

I think that it is so hard to navigate the whole Christmas season in the midst of our American culture. Do we do Santa or not? Do we buy gifts or not? How much is enough? How much is too much? Yet each year I am thankful that God chooses to show me other ways that I can use this season to glorify Him and serve others and train my children to find their joy in service rather than stuff. It's a hard road to hoe and I feel confident that I often fail miserably, but I am so thankful for the lessons that I learn each year.

This year, we have decided to spend significantly less money on Christmas than we normally do. I'll be honest that the decision to do this was initially fueled by the fact that we thought we would be preparing to move out of the country at this point. However, even though all of that is in limbo, I am embracing the opportunity to keep it small. I am excited about looking for ways to serve others during the season rather than running around shopping and spending. My kids are also excited that we are going to be doing some handmade gifts and readily admit that they need nothing.

So, even though I don't look forward to the stores full of pink and purple christmas trees or the non stop commercials for toys and the lowest prices of the season, I do look forward to the season. I look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ and the family time that always comes during the holidays. I am excited about creating new memories with my children and embracing simplicity in the place of stuff. I am looking forward to singing Christmas carols, and this year, I think I will find even more meaning as I sing one of my very favorites... "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him."