Dear Walters Wife,
We have a big problem in our home this Christmas. In the past we have indulged our kids with lots of presents under the tree. With the economy this year, we have to cut way back on what we can afford to spend. What do we say to the kids when they notice fewer packages to open? I'm a tongue tied Mom, can you help?
Dear tongue tied,
Walter and I were blessed in that we always had food to feed our family, and the warmth of a modest home. True, there were times when we didn't have much left for "extra's", but we had faith that continually made us grateful each and every day for what we received. We taught our children the lesson of it being better to give than to receive. Christmas time meant baking cookies and pumpkin breads for our neighbors and tucking in a special note of what they meant to us. Sometimes the children would make up their special coupons for shoveling snow or racking leaves that next fall. They came up with those ideas on their own, and it made Walter and I very proud.
Walter and I had lots of fun hiding specials gifts for the children. They would have to follow a treasure map to find their gift. Each year each one got a new scarf and mittens, it seems we could never have too many of those. Christmas eve was a very special event. We filled our tummy's with warm soup and freshly baked bread with apple butter. Then we bundled up and made our way to our little church for Candlelight service. Christmas songs filled the air and the sermon always included the Christmas story.
When you sit by your Christmas tree this year, read the Christmas story in Matthew of how the the gifts of gold, incense and myrrh were given to baby Jesus. In years past, we have observed children being overindulged with "things" and the true meaning of Christmas has not been the focus for many families. You see, if 3 gifts were enough for Jesus, then that seems to be a fitting number for all. When your children begin to focus their attention on others and what they have to offer of themselves to friends and neighbors, they will soon be satisfied with less themselves as far as material things are concerned. They will be filled with so much more in their hearts.