Rethinking Christmas

I wish I had something wonderfully eloquent and meaningful to write on this topic, but I don't. I simply want to share with the community of family and friends (who I think read this blog) that I am doing a lot of thinking about "rethinking Christmas". This is an idea that I've been pondering for the last few years and was most poignantly brought to mind by my friend Tiffany last year. Tiffany, her husband David, and some of their family decided to make some purposeful changes to their Christmas traditions, including relational and globally conscious giving.

I have no well formed thoughts about what this means for me, but I do question whether some of our American traditions celebrate the birth of Christ, bring Glory to God or create the kind of memories or family closeness we'd really like to have. Don't get me wrong...I have lots of wonderful Christmas memories and many family traditions I'd like to continue, but there is much about the season I think that Christmas could and should do differently.

Here's what I do know: I'd like to do a lot more thinking about and incorporation of Christ's incarnation during the season. I'd like to spend less on things people don't want or need and have people spend less on me! I'd like to spend more time with family and friends, doing things we love that make us feel good and bring us closer.

I'm including some links to thought-provoking websites below (thank you, Tiff, for introducing me) for anyone who's interested, and I'd really love to hear your thoughts and ideas too.

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
http://www.rethinkingchristmas.com/