This Christmas we, like many, are having a toned down Christmas. Yes, partly due to the economy but also because it has really struck me this year that we don't really need anything. We have food, clothes, a house, family, friends, and then some. What do we really need? We will get a boys a gift from us and one from Santa but no over the top stuff.
I read an article in the paper the weekend after Thanksgiving about a woman who bragged about missing her family's Thanksgiving dinner to spend it in line at Best Buy. Apparently she wasn't going to be able to spend the usual $4,000 (yep, you read that right) on her kids this year due to her tight budget so could ONLY spend a measly $1,500 and didn't want her poor kids to feel short changed. Did she really think that spending the holiday camped on a sidewalk outside an electronics superstore was more important than sharing a holiday meal with family and friends? Call me crazy but doesn't it seem pretty obvious that is not the lesson you want to teach your kids?
This article prompted us to talk to the boys about what is Christmas. They were quick to answer "It's Jesus' birthday!" Parental sigh of relief...they didn't answer it is when Santa comes. We talked about how some kids don't have homes or toys or clothes. This was hit home a bit more when Luke's Kindergarten class "adopted" a foster child through a local charity organization. They learned his name was Chandlir, age 8, in foster care and all he wanted for Christmas was a Spiderman toy, and (gulp) a toothbrush, towel, warm clothes, and suitcase of his own. Yowsey. All the stuff in the world and he wants a toothbrush. How's that for some much needed perpsective.
So a couple weeks ago at dinner one night we asked Luke what he wanted for Christmas. He looked up towards the ceiling to think. After maybe 20 seconds of serious thought said, and I quote here: "I don't think I really need anything."
Wow I love that boy.
