Christmas: It's Not About the Toys, It's About the Box!

When our four sons were very young, our Christmas gift budget was just $25 per child. Since then, they've gotten older and no longer want toys. They want electronics! So, we've doubled our budget to $50. 

Every year, I carefully spend our small Christmas budget, trying to get as many items as I can. Over the years we have adopted a gift strategy.  Our children receive: 1 piece of clothing, 1 toy, and several second-hand books for Christmas. 

Inevitably, as my husband and I wrap the gifts we look at each diminutive pile and say, "Wow! This really isn't that much, is it?" I feel guilt for not giving them more.

However, then I remember something that happened twenty years ago, which made me realize that it's not about the gifts, it's about the box. 

A Story of True Thankfulness

Allow me to share this story with you as you get ready to spend Christmas with your loved ones. I trust that it will encourage you to remember as our children learn to trust that God will provide for their needs, they will be thankful for every gift which they receive. 

I will never forget when our oldest son was two and a half years old. He was outgrowing his clothes and we had very little money, certainly not enough for a whole new wardrobe. So, one day I was standing in the kitchen praying out loud for size 3T clothing. James toddled in and decided he would pray with me. A few days later someone whom I didn't know well, who had never offered us hand-me-down clothing before, called and brought over two big boxes of 3T's. 

As I unpacked the boxes I said, "James, look at all this lovely clothing that God supplied for you!" Putting one of the boxes sideways, he wedged his body inside the box. I heard his little voice enthusiastically reply, "Yes! And He gave me this cool box!!"

Once he heard his mother say, "God loves you so much!  When we pray, He takes care of every single need, "my son was satisfied.  He found great joy in the box that God had sent him. Oh, and the clothes were a nice bonus, which God had packed inside the wondrous big box.  

As you wrap your gifts and put them under the tree, remember that our children don't need a dozen gifts. They need to know that they are loved, that they are safe, that they are cherished gifts from God. Their thankful and grateful attitude will be a natural outgrowth of that knowledge.  

Tell Them Your Stories 

   

My husband and I find Christmas to be the perfect time to sit down and share with our children about all the blessings which God has bestowed on us throughout the years.  We tell them about all the times in 30 years of marriage that we prayed and God miraculously supplied for our needs. Believe me, there have been a LOT of these stories! Our children have their favorites, which they ask to hear again and again. 

When you share these stories, you are not only building up the faith of your children, you are also building up the faith of future generations of your family!  THESE are the stories that your children will repeat to their children and grandchildren!  

As you celebrate the Yuletide season with your family, I pray God's richest blessings on each of you! May you be blessed and filled with His peace! I look forward to sharing more joy and encouragement with you in 2019.

From Under the Median and the Ware family,

Have a Merry Christmas!