Christmas broke my bank.

I sat in the lobby this morning, while the lovely people of North hall tire changed my oil. As I sat reading my book, I simultaneously tuned in to John cougar Melancamp on the radio, and the small bouts of conversation exchanged between customers. At one point my ears perked up, when asked if he was ready for Christmas, the man across from me replied with a sigh- “yeeess, And I’m broke because of Christmas.”

My initial thought was no sir- Christmas did not break your bank, your inability to say no and lack of prioritizing has left your account dry.
I then proceeded to think about the thousands and millions of dollars we spend during the holidays each year.
We buy more clothes to hang in the closet, to add to the ones we hardly ever wear or no longer fit into. We buy more clutter to line our shelves and hang on our walls, we buy trinkets for stockings that will be sold at next years yard sales, and candy that we devour which later makes us complain and resort to unfulfilled New Years resolutions, while all the while grumpy because “Christmas” is claiming our bank accounts.

I think we’ve missed it. The real reason for the season.
Christmas is not the reason for depleted pennies. It’s not the reason we are behind on bills, and it’s certainly not the reason for the extra pounds on the scale.

WE have allowed Christmas to become our excuse.
We need to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. It’s certainly not a plump old man in a red suit, it’s not the decorating, or the baked sweets.
Please don’t think I’m a Scrooge, or a grinch, I love Christmas- it’s my favorite time of the year.

But I wish it would go back to the way it used to be. When we baked Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas morning, where we celebrated his birth and not presents under the tree. I wish Christmas was about coming together and enjoying each others company not who is taking the nicest vacation, and who got the most expensive gifts. Let’s give back to our communities, and help the less fortunate, instead of wishing blessings to people, let’s actually bless them.
I think if we would prioritize our agendas, our to do lists, our desires, and our finances we would find we actually have a lot more Joy, peace, and contentment.

I hope and pray this holiday season we can remember Christmas is the whole reason we are here. Because our Heavenly Father sent us the best gift anyone could ever receive. His son, wrapped in swaddling clothing in a manger. A sign of hope, peace, and love- sent to save us. That’s worth celebrating.
I hope our perspective shifts this Christmas from a dissatisfied heart and belief that Christmas has broke our bank- to a fulfilled heart, grateful for what we have, a home, each other, and a Savior.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your days be filled with laughter and joy, not because of what you have, but because of the blessings surrounding you.

Luke 2:8-12
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”