Faith | The reality of Christmas is more exciting than what’s inside the gifts

It used to be that when I was a kid we started preparing for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Now, it seems like we do it the day after Christmas for the next year.

We live in such a consumer driven society. The profit motive to make money, along with the desire for short-term happiness by getting nice things, is so much a part of our life today. Instant gratification seems to be the driving force in our society.

This motivation has turned the holidays into a yearly buying frenzy. Stores have special sales the day after Christmas on many items, especially the ones that didn’t sell out before.

Many of us, myself included, jump right out there looking for bargains. It’s kind of like an adult treasure hunt. And I must admit, I feel good when I think I got a bargain on something I thought I needed or wanted.

I wonder if this perception has improved our quality of life in any way?

In my case, as a child, my whole perception of Christmas was eating lots of sweets, not having to go to school and getting great gifts. I very much remember the joy I had in receiving nice gifts, but upon occasion, if I didn’t get good stuff, I was greatly disappointed.

I remember when I was about 7, I bought a small, stuffed teddy bear for my mom for Christmas, but I liked it so much that I kept it. I’m not sure I even gave my mom anything that year!

I remember feeling guilty about it, but also I clearly remember that I wanted it so badly that I kept it for myself. Afterward, for a long time, I felt badly about it.

As an adult, my greatest joy at Christmas was in 1999 when I gave my wife an almost new car — a 1999 Crown Victoria for the safety of her and my two little girls. She definitely appreciated it, and it actually turned out to be the best car we ever owned.

We kept it for about 21 years and then passed it on for a nominal price to my grandson’s dad. It still seems to run great.

A close second was giving good gifts, over the years, to our children and then seeing how excited they were when they opened them. Most of my life as an adult, I have enjoyed giving nice gifts much more than receiving them.

These gifts, as thoughtful and meaningful as they may be, don’t even compare to the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas represents the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. He was fully God in the flesh who was sent to earth to live a perfect and sinless life, one he lived while surrounded by all the similar temptations we face daily.

Jesus Christ was perfect, and yet he suffered a sinless sacrificial death on the cross for us, but was resurrected to take away all our sins.

He did this out of deep love for us in order to give us the perfect gift — the opportunity to live forever in his kingdom in heaven. This gift is ours if we simply trust in him as our Savior and Lord.

This is the reality of Christmas.