Less is More

This is our new motto for Christmas.  We started the "Advent Conspiracy" series at church a few weeks ago, and it has really opened my eyes to focusing on what Christmas is really about.  We always say "Jesus is the reason for the season," but how many of us actually practice that?  I am making an active decision to cut back, and give to people who really need it.  I have become involved with Room In the Inn with my church this year.  Every Tuesday we host a group of homeless people, and I go to help out and offer support.  It has really humbled me, and made me so thankful for everything I have.  It has made me realize what is really important in life.  I focus less on things I don't have, and feel so blessed for what I do have.  I am just as guilty about going overboard on Christmas.  I always  think I have to spend a certain amount of money on each persons gift.  I am also guilty of asking for expensive things that I don't need, and otherwise would not buy for myself.  One of the most important reasons for starting this "less is more" tradition in my house is I don't want my kids growing up thinking they need the best of the best.  I also want them to know how lucky they are, and there are kids out there who don't have anything.  I want us to focus on those kids, and give to them.  I don't want them to think they have to have what everyone else does.  I want them to grow up humbled, and really appreciate the lives they lead.  My sister and I often talk about how lucky our kids are, because they have so much more than we did growing up.  Even though that may be the case, I never remember feeling like I had less than others, or I suffered in any way.  We had a loving and caring childhood, and I realize that is the most important thing. Our parents taught us to appreciate what little we had, and to know how hard they worked for it.  My mom keeps saying she doesn't know what to get me, and I haven't told her what I want.  That is because I don't "want" anything.  The things on my list this year are things that I NEED. I would rather her money go to helping other people who really need it.  By no means am I cutting out buying gifts completely, but I will not be buying a bunch of unnecessary gifts.  I will not be spending nearly as much on gifts this year, and the years to come. I will help with the angel our Fusion group is adopting, send a package to a soldier who is spending his Christmas away from family defending our freedom, and give a little more to our child we sponsor through Compassion.   I hope that more people can adopt this attitude this Christmas season, because this world could use a little more giving and less getting.