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Christmas is a reminder of one of God's gift to us in the form of his son Jesus Christ. It is the gift of life, the greatest we can have. Just as our Heavenly Father knows what we need most and give us good gifts, we strive to give good gifts to our children. Some of these gifts are intangibles, like love, time, care and concern. These need not cost a cent but they are great gifts that will make a lasting impact on the children.
However, these days, the art of giving has been reduced to an affordability game that's called "Keeping up with the Joneses". Parents shower their kids with whatever they ask for, as long as they can afford them. When we give the world to the kids, I fear that we are also giving the kids to the world. Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Parents must be discerning in whatever they get for their children. Children need guidance from adults, and the last thing they need is autonomy in deciding what they want. It is the parents who decides whether to give the child a fish or a snake, a stone or bread; does the child know better?
Matthew 7:9-10 asks,"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?"
This passage talks about giving good gifts, and we see that the responsibility lies in the giver.
Those days, children ask for basic stuff like food & shelter; these days, children ask for the state-of-the-art toys or the latest fashion wear. Do we give out of vanity (we can afford, why not?), do we give to keep up with the Joneses?
And remember Matthew 18:6 - "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
Have we forgotten to give good gifts to children? If we give without discernment, we are guilty of that, for a sword can either protect or hurt.
It's sad that some parents nowadays seem to give to their children without the slightest understanding of what they are giving. Do they watch teletubbies to understand whether these are good role models or not? Do they play with digimons to see what it's all about? Do they evaluate the computer games that they buy for their children? It's probably "No" most of the time as they are too busy. We have heard the argument that parents shower their kids with gifts to make up for lost time, but I think it's very valid today.
Our Christmas message to parents is this - let's not be in the situation described in Matthew 15:14 " If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
We are God's chosen people who have the responsibility to raise the next generations for Christ. If we do no take stock of ourselves now, not only will we fall, but our children too.
Our children deserve the best gifts we can give them - our time, love, and attention. Start giving these today.
Blessed Christmas! - Thomas
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