The #1 Gift I Refuse to Give My Children for Christmas

The #1 Gift I Refuse to Give My Children for Christmas

It’s starting.  The commercials are legend.  Somewhere, someone is concocting the next Christmas lampoon of how one boy and his loyal dog must SAVE CHRISTMAS.  Some evil mastermind wants to steal the joy. Maybe he wants to kill all the reindeer. Could he be the only villain on the planet with an elixir to heal Santa of a mysterious disease? Or must a perverted madman be out to exploit the innocence of Christmas with naked pictures of Mrs. Claus and an elf in a compromising position?

And the threat is real.  Christmas is in danger, but only in our works oriented minds.

I am guilty too, as was my mom and all the moms and dads before her.

“If you are bad you will only get a lump of coal for Christmas…”

Harmless?

Maybe.

Except, I woke this morning after a full 12 hours of sleep; sleep that was a gift from my husband.  Who slept on the couch, because we got into a fight right before bed.  I was a jerk.  He was no better.  Still, he hushed children and only called to me and offered me a peace offering of breakfast after he heard me moving about upstairs.

I did nothing to deserve his generosity.

This is the truth of Christmas.

[bctt tweet=”I did nothing to deserve his generosity. This is the truth of Christmas. #Christmas ” quote=”I did nothing to deserve his generosity. This is the truth of Christmas. #Christmas “]

Jesus came to Earth the most helpless of beings. The destiny before Him was a gift.  That while we were still sinners He would die for us as the ultimate treasure. No good motivated Him.  No bad deterred Him.  This is what He would do: Die a bloody, excruciating, and humiliating death- the death of murderers and thieves – to purchase for me the eternal life of the blameless.

How is it then that the celebration, which is the beginning of His work on Earth is laced with threats and condemnation?

Why do I allow the words, “If you do…” or “If you don’t…” become an essential part of the Christmas tradition?  Granted, you will find other blogs about the commercialization of Christmas and “Put the CHRIST back in CHRISTMAS!” There is the ever traditional buzz about the lack of Jesus in our Starbucks cups, although, I believe with my whole heart Jesus is the reason for Starbucks – because He is good and He loves us.  We will argue over whether to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays!” to the cashier, heaven forbid we offend.  Make sure we buy Toys for the Tots and drop coins in that red bucket.

After all, these are the things that make us good boys and girls.

Tis the season to be at our very best.  The very worst of us maul the disabled and medically fragile at the mall over an action figure or baby doll.

And yet – this is the very reason He came.

Dear Maggie, John, Luke, Sophie, Sam, Charlie, and #Joybaby,  – my children in body and soul, and to you Jayden, Audrey, Emma, Rylie, Karis, Karsten, and George – my precious nieces and nephews; I refuse to give you this anymore for Christmas: Condemnation. 

The message that you must perform one way or the other this year or any year to receive the greatest gift to mankind is paramount of tragedies this season.

Jesus came to give you life abundant.  He came so that you could walk in the freedom of righteousness.  To teach you about Him and His sacrifice from the tree of good and evil is the real work of the enemy.  He slithers on his belly telling lies about The Son of Man and steals from you the essence of Christ who died – so that you might live.

Forgive me if I ever conveyed otherwise.  Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Nothing.

No matter what you do or do not do your stocking will be full. Bows and ribbons will be tied with fancy. Mystery, hope and the fragrance of new life will fill your nostrils – second only to the holiday delicacies I will bake, broil and stew; all of your favorites.  I will withhold nothing from you, not because of what you do – right or wrong – to please or displease me, but because I love you.

If I can teach you anything about this season, it is that none of us deserve what we are getting.

Quite the opposite, we deserve the bowels of hell.  Still, He came. Born of a Virgin, laid in a manager, an innocent babe who would suffer, die, be buried and rise again so that you would spend eternity with the Father, celebrating all that is good.

Tis the season to celebrate a gift we did not earn. No Grinch, no deed, no sin – nothing can change His Love or mock the celebration of His birth.

The Blood worked.

It is well.

Merry Christmas.

May your floors be sticky and your calling ordained. Love, Jami

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, Luke 4:18

Have you read TIPS FOR BETTER PARENTING???

You might also like: An Open Letter to My Children: You’re Not That Great 

And check out this Christmas Post!