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What are your non-material gift ideas? What is the best gift you have ever received? What is the best gift you have given someone else?
We're getting off topic, but I wonder if all this recent uproar about "Merry Christmas" versus "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" isn't just misplaced. Wanting Target (or whatever company) to wish me Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays, as if that is somehow more respectful or a meaningful acknowledgement of the Christian basis for holiday, doesn't compute to me.
Why should I seek affirmation of the religious significance of the holiday from an entity that is part of the consumerist, materialist part of our culture that we rail against? Why would I want a company that profits from the consumer-driven, culturally defined, secular celebration of the Christmas holiday to wish me a Merry Christmas? Doesn't that just further pervert and co-opt the Christian observance of Christ's birth and teh message of Christmas? At least when they say "Happy Holidays" it's honest--it respects the fact that what they're there for is the "Holidays" that our secular culture observes. Don't wish me Merry Christmas--the birth of Christ as a religious event has little to do with all the sales and promotions going on to get us in the stores to spend money.
A previous writer says "They wouldn't be experiencing this frenzy of buying in their stores if Jesus Christ had not been born"--do any of us really go shopping at this time of year thinking, "Praise God, Christ was born--so I'm going shopping!"?? I doubt it.
It's kind of a church/state thing for me--keep the secular stuff that has grown up around Christmas "The Holidays" and let us Christians, not Target, Wal-Mart and whoever else, wish each other "Merry Christmas."
Posted by: Margaret van G (Antioch, IL)
Posted: 12/20/2005 5:31:58 PM
Thank you for your message. From our research, we know that a good number of readers of Cafe do not strongly identify as Christian, yet they are drawn to the publication because they appreciate Cafe's approach to the topics presented and find it a safe place to explore and think about the Christian faith. We welcome them and are glad to have them with us. By writing "Season's Greetings" in the subject line, I was trying to respect that and give balance to the message of the card itself--which you no doubt agree is a very Christian message.
We would never deny or diminish who we are as an organization and what we as Christians celebrate, yet at the same time, in delivering our message, we wished to respect and to acknowledge the many varied places along the journey of faith our readers find themselves.
Posted by: Beth McBride
Posted: 12/20/2005 4:53:30 PM
I was disappointed to find the title of your message to be "Season's Greetings" instead of Merry Christmas. I am contacting merchants this Christmas and reminding them they wouldn't be experiencing this frenzy of buying in their stores if Jesus Christ had not been born. Don't wish me Happy Holidays!
Posted by: cheryl mahaffay (Luverne, MN)
Posted: 12/20/2005 2:27:30 PM
Congregation: Grace Lutheran
It's nice to be reminded about Christ's gifts during this time of year. Gifts that are free to give and fit anyone. Gifts that don't require standing in line. I love Christmas!!! I love the fact that this article speaks about little things to brighten someone's day. I noticed that quite a few were about just taking time. In this day, it is so easy to run yourself ragged just trying to keep up with society's demands on life. However, if you pause to help someone, or pause to listen to someone, or pause to take time to do something for yourself, you can find a lot more peace than if you tried to find it. Thank goodness God loved us so much to provide these gifts. The cost to us...nothing. Praise be to God!!!
Posted by: Louise Brooks (Huntsville, AL)
Posted: 12/16/2005 2:57:58 PM
Congregation: St. Mark's Lutheran Church
Although this may not quite fall into the category of "non-material" gifts, for the past few years I've reduced the amount I've spent for gifts and, instead, taken that money and given it to either ELCA World Hunger or Domestic Disaster Response. Then, I've included a note in with the gift I've given to tell the recipient that funds were given in their name. My friends and family have always been so appreciative of this and some have started doing similiar things. We have so much more materially that we need. It just seems right that those who are less fortunate should be the recipients of our gifts throughout the year and, especially, during this holiday.
Posted by: Karleen George (Pasadena, CA)
Posted: 12/14/2005 4:22:04 PM
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran
What thoughtful and timely articles.I am planning "girl time" (preteens) at Bethel. Both Kimberly's reflection and Liz's article- complete with questions and actions leaves little for me to plan! The girls will love it and it will be a joy to share it. Thanks and blessings to you both.
Posted by: Valora Starr (Chicago, IL)
Posted: 12/14/2005 7:49:37 AM
Congregation: Bethel Lutheran Church
Thanks, Liz and Kimberly, for helping us look anew at the fruit of the spirit and the incredible gifts that they are.
I'd like to plug Lutheran Woman Today, our magazine. If you are intrigued by the discussion of the fruit of the spirit, check out LWT for its current Bible study on this passage, and the many stories in each issue which help the reader further explore a particular fruit.
I happened to write about patience in the December issue, the current fruit for discussion. I want to share one of my thoughts here, as it fits nicely with Liz's words.
"Here’s a gift idea in this season of giving. This year, give the gift of patience. It comes direct from your heart, and involves some sacrifice on your part. It’s free, so it won’t break your bank. And Lord knows, our women’s organization, our whole church and the world community could definitely benefit if all of us were more patient with each other in the coming year. And while we’re at it, let’s try to be more forgiving too. Come to think of it, if we more closely model our lives after the one whose birth we celebrate, we will become more patient and forgiving, won’t we?"
Blessings to all our readers, both of Cafe and LWT!
Linda Post Bushkofsky
Executive director, Women of the ELCA
Posted by: Linda Post Bushkofsky (Arlington Heights, IL)
Posted: 12/6/2005 7:59:30 PM
Congregation: Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
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