Christmas Doesn't Come from a Store

Whatever our faith or beliefs about Christmas, many of us are entering a season of gift-giving (whether the Shi’a Muslim holy day of Ashura, Christmas, Hanukkah, or the Buddhist celebration of Bodhi Day). Within the Christian tradition, the idea of giving gifts comes from a story in the New Testament. The story details how wise men visited the infant Jesus and offered gifts. It’s always beautiful to me how the Christmas season inspires people to offer gifts of kindness. Generosity is heard as bell-ringers remind us of the needy and coins drop into shiny red buckets. Smiles are more abundant in grocery store check-out lines. But during the Christmas season, it is no less fascinating to witness the onslaught of consumerism. Why does a holy day — such as Christmas — inspire so many millions to spend more money on presents than on gifts to charity? I mean, it’s not like Jesus is a poster child for materialism. As I recall, he does say, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”Oh, I know, I shouldn’t be such a stick in the mud. It’s just people having fun. It’s just presents.

Of course, I understand that we shop till we drop to demonstrate our love for other people. I know that we have taken the idea of gift giving from “the wise men of the east.” But, as Dr. Seuss reminds us, “Even the Grinch knew that Christmas doesn’t come from a store.” Honestly, it’s the spending thing that has me concerned. For example, in 2011, the average American spent almost $1,000 on Christmas gifts. There are a number of issues associated with such spending — not the least of which is that many Americans spend themselves into debt (the average credit card debt per household in the U.S. is over $15,000) buying presents.If you haven’t braved the malls quite yet or spent hours online, consider this: Long after your teenager tires of her $500 designer purse, long after the new iPad is replaced by a faster model, the credit card companies will continue to reap the benefits of your excess (but don’t get me started on usury).

OK, I’ve sounded my Christmas horn. I will stop preaching. But just one more thing. Do yourself a favor: Keep Christmas simple. After all, the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus didn’t buy the stuff on credit. And they didn’t spend the next year paying off the bill, which is probably why we call them wise.