Millgrove United Church (The liveliest little church in Flamborough/Ontario/Canada!)

How does that headline make you feel?

It probably depends on how your preparations are going, or if they’ve even been started. Or maybe your attitude towards the upcoming weeks will shape how you respond. Do you look forward to spending time thoughtfully choosing gifts that will be appreciated by the recipients, or do you dread rushing through crowded stores, picking up whatever’s on sale or whatever you can still find in the final few days?

The custom of people giving Christmas gifts is a tangible reflection of the generous gift God gave to us, in becoming incarnate in Jesus Christ. But it should be done in the right spirit. As Paul wrote in 2 Cor 9:7, (and it applies to both the church and our gift list), “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Give with a joyful heart, to friends and charities, not as an obligation!

If money is tight this year, remember meaningful gifts come from the heart and not necessarily from a store. A recent photograph, a poem or a heartfelt letter might brighten someone’s days immeasurably. Shoveling someone’s walk or free babysitting may be the best gift someone could receive.

What about Christmas lights? Some people think that they waste energy, but the symbolism is to honour the light of Christ coming into our darkest hours. “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5). Using LED lights will help the planet, and not procrastinating until the weather turns nasty will help you. Just don’t be obsessed with making your display perfect, or get into competition with the neighbours!

Please don’t feel guilty if you enjoy having a real Christmas tree in your home. These symbols of everlasting life are a renewable, sustainable agricultural crop and will be recycled. Make picking one out an enjoyable family event. Whether you prefer a natural or artificial tree, planning a special time to decorate it with family and friends will turn a chore into an enjoyable tradition. Please don’t do what our family did one year, getting so busy that we decorated the tree between church services on Christmas Eve.

These weeks before Christmas are a time of preparation. Preparing all the wonderful things that are part of Christmas, and preparing our hearts once again to welcome the Christ Child in. Do it with joy, not dread. Remember, almost every angel in the Bible opens with “Fear not!”

You have 816 hours until Christmas. With a little planning and the right attitude in your heart, you can make this time of preparation meaningful, not overwhelming.