I love Christmas

Around this time of year I get really grumpy, and I mean 'get off my lawn' grumpy. My wife thinks I hate Christmas, but that's not it at all. I hate what this season has become: a celebration not of peace, joy and love, but of taking, getting, stress and self-indulgence.

I love Christmas. What I hate, is that we've lost it.

Just think about how we kick off, the 'Christmas' season here in America: Black Friday. We're no longer thankful, that was sooo Thursday. It's a rush to save money you don't have on bigger and bigger TVs that look as out of place in your living room those urban fortresses look in old neighborhoods. Last year, someone died in a Walmart while others complained outside about not being able to get in. Fortunately that didn't repeat itself this year (as far as I know) but what level of selfishness does it take to start Christmas shopping with an experience that can only be likened to a minor brawl. Around this time of year, I often make a bad joke, that replaces the word 'mall' with the word 'maul'.

Deep breath.

I have lots of great memories of Christmas. I love midnight services on Christmas Eve and the acapella singing of Silent Night in a candle lit sanctuary. I love exchanging Christmas greetings at the stroke of midnight with my best friends. I love the old hymns. I even love that our hymnal had instructions for which verses to sing on Christmas Day - "Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning". I love beautiful cards with wonderful art that tell the Christmas story.

So, a few thoughts from the Scripture on how to stay grounded and focused on the important things while the world gets stuff.

Give, without expectation of getting anything in return - Matt 2:11 - Just the magi, give generously to others
Remember that Christmas is what separates Christianity from other religions - Matt 1:23 "they will call him Immanuel—which means, 'God with us.'". - God, who is holy and other, came near.
Go out of your way to worship Jesus - Matt 2:1-2. - Take every opportunity to worship. Speaking of, how can the church truly celebrate Christmas if we don't meet to worship on it?
Go where you need to - Luke 2:1-4 - Joseph and Mary go to register in the census. (Or so they think. Really, it's to fulfill the prophecy from Micah 5:2) Go to your family home. Take with time to visit with the people important to you.
Help someone else - This is not in the Scriptural account of Jesus birth per se. But someone must have given use of the stable to Mary and Joseph. Much later, Jesus would teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Tell others - Luke 2:17,18,20 - Share the love and message of Christmas.
Don't make a public scene - Matt 1:19 "Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace". No fighting in malls, or if you must, remove the fish from your car before going to the mall.

It just keeps making more sense

This morning I went a company wide meeting at my employer. I fully expected to be bored with the content as I'm involved in many of the initiatives being announced. Instead I found revelation about my personal financial life.

Just to give some background, my wife and I have become students of Dave Ramsey. We've been reading his books, watching his show and trying his principals to better our financial situation. It's early days, but it's helping.

The topic of the economy is on folks' minds and our CEO addressed it directly. Here is a selection of what he had that to say that directly affected employees:

• No layoffs - in fact, a modest 2% growth in staff
• Merit raise in April as normal
• Company will absorb the increase in health insurance premium
• No benefit cuts - including no cuts in 401k
  
• A new computer on every desk in 2009
• The existing computers will be given away to employees
• Bonuses should continue
  
• And oh yeah, we're going to reduce prices by 10%. (That's on top of last year's 15% reduction.)
  

So, how the heck do you do all this in an economy like the present one? It hit me - this company has managed finances well for over 20 years and as a result has no debt and big reserves. The economic conditions may be awful, but the good management or stewardship of your finances can prepare you for those times.

While they may not be following Dave's baby steps to the letter, my employer has followed them in principal - spend wisely, pay down debt, build savings, invest conservatively.

It all showed me what could be done once you get your financial house in order.