Pray for me today…I’m heading for the mall.
Despite my frequent anti-materialism rants, I find my list contains items that would be easiest to find in one of the largest indoor malls in the country (Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL), which is only minutes away from my house.
I don’t really like the mall, but since I have a 13-year-old daughter, I’ve been there more lately this year than I had for several years.
Soulless even in its holiday trappings, the mall represents everything I don’t like about the holiday season. Like a church for the religion of “more,” and “gimme,” it offends my simplicity seeking spirituality.
This is not my first visit to Woodfield this Christmas season. A week or two ago, seduced by slick ads in the Sunday paper, I went to Macy’s. Where I bought several things not on my list, that when I got home, I realized would be perfect for … nobody. Not even myself.
In an attempt to salvage my Christmas budget, I’m going back today to return those things. And look for more bargains, like the $25 hand cream I found last time, marked down 90 percent to $2.50. It’s those shopping serendipities that keep hope alive, that keep me going back—as much as I really don’t like the mall.
Because really, whose birthday is it anyway?
If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, do we give him any gifts? Can you buy gifts for Jesus at the mall?
I find myself trying to swim through the thick of the advent season. I don’t really love shopping, or keeping track of what I’ve bought for whom, but I do love being able to give. I love demonstrating love and care to friends and family.
But do my gifts actually communicate my heart? Or do they simply fulfill my obligation?
As much as I want Christmas to be meaningful, to be about Jesus, resistance to the tide of materialism often feels futile.
I got an e-mail from my friend Karen Mains recently, with a link to the Advent Conspiracy website. It’s organizers suggest that rather than indebt ourselves to retailers, spending money on things nobody needs, that we invest in relationships, and give presents to Jesus, that is, to the poor. For what we give to the poor, we give to Jesus. Whatever you do for the least of these, he told us, you do for me. Check out the site, or read more about it on my blog.
So I did buy something for Jesus last week at Target. Clothes, in size 2 Toddler, 4 Toddler, and 6 Toddler, for a family with no daddy, and very little hope. A friend of mine was collecting gifts to make their Christmas a little happier. That was my favorite shopping experience this season.
We often complain about the hectic pace and over-spending that mars our holiday season. This year, fight that. You may have to go to the mall, but don’t let that define your holiday. Counter the infusion of materialism with mercy. Whether you contribute to the Advent conspiracy, decide to buy fewer gifts, or pick up a few things for Jesus at the mall, you could change a life this Christmas–your own.
12 Comments
Great post, Keri. The Angel Tree is always my last shopping expenditure, and my most favorite. I haven’t taken time this year to simply get alone with God with no other reason but to thank him for the gift of Christmas. Your post is a reminder to do just that.
Blessings, friend!
Thanks, Suz. I’m hoping to finish today (although it’s 10:15 and I have walked the dog with my darling husband, worked for an hour and showered–but I haven’t made it out to shopping land yet. I really must go to the mall now!! (and get it over with!)
Thanks for the great post, Keri! We intended to give farm animals to relatives for Christmas this year. Our favorite is Gospel For Asia’s program. But we wound up doing so much less than anticipated in that area. I got carried away with the materialism - AGAIN. But the kids have volunteered to give half of their Christmas money to buy livestock for people in India - they put me to shame.
If you have raised kids who would voluntarily give half their Christmas money to help the poor, there is absolutely no shame in that, Flea!
One step at a time. Even forwarding the link to the Advent Conspiracy, which focuses on relationship building and also giving to the poor, is a great thing to do.
I made it thru the mall–got in and out quickly, then went to Borders (I had coupons!) and a few other shops. I’m baking a lot of gifts. But most of my shopping is done!
Now I’ve got to assemble the out of town things and get to the post office–which is even scarier than the mall at this time of year!
Great post!
Thanks, Keri. How did it go at the post office? I went on Tuesday and it wasn’t bad, but most people didn’t have electricity and probably weren’t thinking of shipping gifts. Yay for short lines!
ok, our post office has a branch (near the mall) that is not crowded. A helpful, cheerful USPS employee showed me how to use the “self-service” (um, he did it for me almost, so it wasn’t exactly SELF servce) machine to weigh and put postage on my packages. It was a breeze. very cool.
I”m done!! whoo hoo. done shopping. now on to more baking–some friends are getting home-assembled gift baskets with the candles I got on half price today, and homemade goodies. whee! I’m totally in the Christmas spirit now that the mall is behind me until the after-Christmas sales!!
I bought myself a Starbucks Gingerbread latte to celebrate!
Good challenge, Keri. I’ve been inundated with new ideas about ways to embrace Advent and Christmas this year, it’s almost overwhelming. I think my husband is getting nervous because I really haven’t done much shopping at all this year. I don’t know that we’re ready to give cows as gifts but we did talk about sponsoring a child through World Vision (my church is attempting to sponsor 50 kids in a single community, an idea which I love) so I’m excited about doing that . . . it’s a start for us.
And I had to laugh about you returning gifts. So relieve to know I’m not the only one who’s done that in the past! And I’m with you on the bleakness of the mall too. This year I felt absolutely assaulted the one time I had to go there - have you noticed the smells this year? I swear they’ve been instructed in one more way to entice people - teasing their sense of smell. Weird.
You are one seriously rockin’ boomer babe, Keri! I am always in awe at the depth of your insight. For our youngest BBR, you often have wisdom beyond your years. Coupled with a gift of writing from your soul, what a blessing your posts are!
Just this morning my hubby and I had this conversation about Christmas gifts. We have yet to do even one shopping trip for the holiday season. This move from MN to TX taxed us in so many ways that we’re still trying to figure out God’s plan for our new life. We’re thankful not to have snow this year, but other than that – it doesn’t “feel” like Christmas.
Which calls to mind the question, “What should Christmas “feel” like?”
Last evening we attended a Christmas Concert at Heartland World Ministries Church (URL below). This is Pastor Steve Hill’s church here in the DFW Metroplex area. Pastor Steve is a true evangelist with a heart for winning lost souls. If you’ve never seen his testimony, please visit his web site today (URL below) to view the clip from the 20/20 News program.
Pastor Steve gave an alter call at the end of the concert and over 32 people came forward. That’s right, over 32 new souls for the Lord. I wept along with half the audience for the Christmas gift those people had been given. A new life in Christ. A new heart. A new journey.
One of the closing songs in the concert was sung by a precious little boy who must have been all of five years if that. He sang about wanting to giving Jesus a present for Christmas but not knowing what that gift could be. After much thought and prayer, he came to the conclusion that the best Christmas gift he could give to Jesus would be to give him the gift of his heart.
Perhaps that is the best gift we can give to anyone on our list this season. The gift of our heart…in love, attention, time, understanding, forgiveness, and compassion.
http://www.stevehill.org/
http://www.heartlandfamily.com/
Allison
thanks for your comments, good to see you back here!!
Sounds like you got a taste of wht Christmas is supposed to feel like at that concert last night–cool story.
It has been snowing here all day–absolutely beautiful, light and fluffy, coating the trees. Definitely feels like Christmas!
Dianne, child sponsorship is very cool. I sponsor a little girl through World vision and it’s really amazing to have her picture up on our fridge to remind us to pray for her!
Keri, sounds like we’re all doing the very same things this time of year. I’ve been to the mall, gotten the out of town gifts, wrapped them, gone to the post office, baked, etc. It’s all part of the Christmas package.
I wanted to comment on one thing you mentioned. Can you buy Jesus gifts at the mall?
I think you can.
After I do my morning devotional time and offer my day up to the Lord, I can venture out to the mall, food store, post office, bank, wherever, and try to carry His spirit to those I encounter.
While others are knocking each other over and acting miserable, I try to spread cheer. I’ll smile and let others go in front of me if they have less items. I’ll find a way to compliment the cashier. I’ll talk to squirming little children, hanging by a thread on their mother’s arms, to entertain them while Mom’s patience and energy is running low. I’ll hum while browsing through a stack of sale shirts. I do anything to try to spred His spirit while among the holiday vultures.
Remind you, the only way we can do this is by being intentional, or we can become one of the holiday vultures who have no time for this craziness. There are days I’m the one who needs the smile!
Dotsie
Beautiful! Yes, I agree. I always try to look salespeople in the eye, year round, but especially at Christmas. To ask how they are doing, to be kind to them. It’s amazing–when you treat people with kindness, you seem to get treated the same way!
great reminder.
Keri