A Thought at Christmas

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” -  Matthew 6:33

When Christmas comes around each year, it can feel stressful. A large part of this, for many of us, is due to the fact that we worry we will not have enough money to purchase the gifts we want to give our loved ones. In past Christmases, this had been a concern that really weighed on me and cast a shadow over the holidays. Eventually, however, finally broke free from the idea that Christmas is all about gifts. Yes, it is nice to receive and give gifts, but it is not required for the holiday. In fact, it shouldn’t even be our primary focus.

A great Christmas comes from celebrating Jesus Christ and worshipping Him. We don’t need to give elaborate gifts or spend beyond our means in order to enjoy the holiday.

Although many of us heavily associate Christmas with the material side of things, it is time to truly view Christmas as it is meant to be. By shifting our focus away from the gifts, it will alleviate financial stress and help bring our hearts back to Jesus during the most wonderful time of the year. 

If this is tugging at your heart, this may be the year to intentionally cut back on gifts a little. This can be really difficult, especially for those with children who have become accustomed to numerous gifts under the tree, but this can be used as a learning opportunity to shift their focus back to the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

It is, however, understandable to still want to give gifts to your friends and family, even if your financial means don’t allow you to buy all the newest toys and gifts. If the money is tight, consider making gifts for your loved ones. This could be a craft, a painting, or a special sweet treat. Homemade gifts are heartfelt and thoughtful, and contain so much more love and personalization than anything straight off the shelves. Remind yourself that the money you spend on others is not a reflection of the love you have for them.

More people struggle with affording Christmas than we think, and it’s okay to normalize a more cost-effective Christmas. Rather than feeling guilty for cutting back this year, remember that Christmas is all about the Lord, not gifts. Jesus is the reason for the season, and we need to stay focused on Him. 

It’s easy to look at those around us or people we follow on social media and compare the pile of gifts under their trees to the one under our own. Just remember, the Lord says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). As the Lord tells us, we do not need to worry ourselves with materialism or even the necessities of life (Matthew 6:25-32). Christ has everything under control; all we need to do is seek His kingdom and His righteousness. 

God will make sure we don’t run out of provisions. Following Him and looking toward Him rather than the things of this world, including Christmas gifts, will equip our hearts to worship, praise, and glorify Him this holiday season.