Say Anything Blog

So there I am at lunch waiting for a few coworkers when I overhear a woman on a cell phone explaining her Christmas buying decisions:

“Well, I got my mom that CD player.  I put it on my credit card and now I’m tapped out because I had to buy that part for my truck.  Next week, I’m getting the rug and the I-POD for my dad.  I’ll have to see what happens the week after.  I might have to wrap an IOU to my brother and see if he’ll let me take him shopping the week after Christmas.”

At that point, I had to leave, but I was surprised at the ire roused in my chest. 

This woman, who is obviously living paycheck to paycheck, would squander her earnings on lavish gifts for her kin in the name of a holiday created to commemorate the birth of Christ.  She, like so many others, seems to think that the celebration is about the gifts that she provides to others.  It’s not.

The Christmas holiday is about celebrating the gift Christ gave.  It’s about celebrating life.  It’s about relationships.  Baubles and trinkets cheapen the intent of the celebration, and pulling valuable resources to buy fickle material items misses the point, entirely.

If she’s maxed out her credit card, then she is already over-extended beyond her means.  She is borrowing from others to generate her gifts.

I’m no expert on the matter, but Christ espoused charity and, as far as I know, decried stupidity. 
Charity is giving of what you have.  If you have to borrow to give, then you’re not being charitable or smart.