The Christmas That Changed It All

This Christmas, our family is splitting up names and so we only have to buy a present for one other family member. I drew my cousin Roman, who lies in Hawaii. My first thought, "What else does he need?" Even if he lived here in Kentucky, I'd have probably thought the same thing, because the fact is, he really doesn't need a gift from me.

I've been considering just getting him a book and using the rest of our allotted sum ($50) to go towards mosquito nets or a well for a family in Africa. I know that it is kind of a cop-out, I mean, it's a measly fifty bucks so I wouldn't be making that much of a difference, right? Well...no, at least, not in my mind. Here's why I'm doing it:

1. The old cliché, "Give a give that keeps on giving." While my cousin would no doubt love a steak knife set or maybe even a surf lesson, he doesn't need any of those things. A family in Africa needs mosquito nets so they can sleep at night without worrying about catching malaria. They need clean water. Orphans that live in trash dumps in Nicaragua need food, clothing, and shelter. Yet, I'll mindlessly send a $50 gift to my cousin in Hawaii so he can pawn it off, or better yet, just leave it in the attic until he throws it away one day? I'm thinking helping out someone in need will give him much more peace than giving him something he'll try to take back to Wal-Mart, in essence, an errand.

2. My view on Christmas is probably considered heretical by my family, but since there isn't really any mention of it in the Bible, nor was it established by any early Christians, I try not to get too caught up in "the reason for the season." However, the fact that it has been established for as long as it has coupled with the fact that it isn't by any means a bad thing leads me to try and be Christ-minded throughout this season. What does that look like? I think to Matthew 25: 34-40.

"Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

3. Don't do things without thinking about them. Most of us give gifts just because it is the socially/culturally accepted norm. Think about the reason behind it and give gifts with intention, not just out of obligation to tradition.

4. Don't fall victim to corporation's mind games.  Advertisers have conditioned us to believe we have to get certain things for people and give certain gifts. They don't care about the reason behind it, they just want our money. Don't be a pawn.

5. Lastly, think about the difference that could be made if we spent even half as much on Christmas gifts as we did last year, and used the other half to feed the poor. Americans are estimated to spend $450 billion on Christmas gifts this year. The cost associated with equipping most of the world as we know it with clean water, $10 billion. Be a catalyst for change. It isn't going to start with Wal-Mart or any shopping mall, it is going to start in the hearts of those that care about the things that God cares about.

Visit some of these sites for ideas on Christmas giving:

World Vision
Samaritan's Purse
LUO

I know it is late in the season, and most of you have already purchased all your gifts. This wasn't meant to look like any type of condemnation for those of you who give gifts at Christmas. I'll be getting gifts for immediate family and the girlfriend. However, I do want the idea to spread, so if even if you just did this for one person, it will have made an impact far greater than I think we may ever really know.

Collision of Grace and Truth...

Most certainly, grace and truth are not mutually exclusive.  However, the line can be blurry sometimes. 

This week Belmont University, the university from which I obtained my Master's degree, has come under some scrutiny for decisions that have been made recently.  It seems as if a coach who wanted to share her sexual preference and decision to mother a child with her team has led to her being "run-out" by athletics department administrators.  We don't know exactly how it happened, but the result was that the coach has decided to resign with no further explanation.  The story from The Tennessean is here.  The question of whether or not she was already thinking about resigning due to having a child has been brought up, and is a fair question.  We know the media loves to blow things up, but I think this is a good case to bring up some discussion on the topic...so look at my questions below and let me know what you think!

Belmont has implemented policies based on Biblical truths, and so by allowing this coach to share her sexuality with her players, is the school condoning a choice that is in opposition to their policy?  Or does this just reflect a calloused, judgemental administration that has failed to show love and grace?