I hate Christmas...anyone else admit it?

[KELLYLYNN]

Originally Posted by Jenn218

A lot of friends do the 3 gifts for their Children........here is what they do below................hope you don't mind me posting it here.

Begging for Myrrh

Stressed out by Christmas presents? Try this simple approach
to godly gift giving.

By Trina Conner Schaetz

If you're like most Christian parents, you enter the holiday season
intent on focusing your family's celebrations on the "true meaning"
of Christmas. We set up our nativity sets, bake birthday cakes for
Jesus, and reenact the birth of the Savior so that our children aren't
confused about what Christmas is about. Some of us even choose
to keep Santa out of our holiday to prevent our children from losing
sight of Jesus' birth.


But Santa or no Santa, most families find that the whole gift-giving
commotion ends up fizzling our focus anyway. Even if Mom and
Dad try to reign in the gift explosion, kids get oodles of presents
f rom Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Bob and Aunt Susie, friends,
and even neighbors. As a result, our visions of a meaning-filled
Christmas get buried under all the wrapping paper, and by
December 26, we start making promises to do things better
next year.


In an effort to maintain some control over the lessons learned
at Christmas, my husband and I have come up with a way of
giving gifts that seems to work beautifully. Maybe you've tried
limiting your giving to three gifts per child to echo the three
gifts Jesus received from the Magi. But our idea takes this
plan a step further. The three gifts themselves symbolize
those that Jesus received from the wise men: "On coming
to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened
their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of
incense and of myrrh" (Matt. 2:11).


On Christmas morning, our immediate family takes time to
reflect on why we celebrate Christmas . Each child receives
three presents: one to represent gold, one to represent
frankincense, and one to represent myrrh. As we open
them, we talk about the special significance behind the
gifts that Jesus received, and how they symbolize Jesus
as King, as God, and as Savior.


Gifts of Gold

When Jesus was born, gold was even more valuable than
it is today. It was a gift that was fit for a king or someone
of the highest regard. What a great symbol it was for Jesus
to receive such an offering from t he wise men, as he is
indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Not only did the gold gift signify Jesus' kingly position,
but in their book, Gifts for the King, (published by Priscilla
and Aquilla Ministries and available at house2house.org),
Bill and Leah Miller suggest that the gold may also have
helped Mary and Joseph escape Bethlehem. It may have
paid for the family's expenses and protection while they
traveled secretly to Egypt to flee King Herod.
This Christmas, explain to your children how the wise
men's gift of gold was significant to Jesus and his family.
Then give each child her own "gold" gift. The present
should be something of great importance to suggest
how valuable your child is to your family.
Gold gifts often end up being our most expensive
presents. For example, a gold gift might be the bicycle
a child has been dreaming about, the CD player she has
been saving for, or a piece of jewelry that seems
appropriate. For an extra treat, wrap the "gold" gift in
shiny gold paper with iridescent gold bows or ribbons.


Gifts of Frankincense

Frankincense is a white resin or sap taken from the
wounds of a tree found in East Africa and Southern
Arabia. Today, frankincense is known for its antiseptic,
anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. No wonder
people in ancient times begged for it. It was probably
one of the ancient world's first "cure-all" medicines,
healing everything from infections to headaches. Surely
Mary and Joseph could use the gift of frankincense with
a new baby around.
Frankincense was also a sacred substance. In Exodus
30:34-37, God specifically requests that frankincense be
used as sacred incense in his Temple and forbids the
Israelites to use frankincense for anything besides his
religious purposes. God commanded the Israelites to
place frankincense in front of the Tent of Meeting to
scent the place where he had promised to meet with
them.

Years after that temple was destroyed, God sent his
own Son, Jesus, to b e a symbolic "Tent of Meeting"
for all people. How appropriate, then, that the wise
men brought frankincense as a gift for Mary's baby.
Jesus had become our Emmanuel: God with us.
With that in mind, your child's "frankincense" gift
should correspond with the way he "meets" with
God. For example, you could give your child a new
study Bible, a devotional book, a journal, or worship
CD as a frankincense gift. A younger child might
enjoy a Christian video or CD of children's praise
songs. Eventually, your children will be able to
identify the ways they most enjoy spending time
with God and will be able to suggest future ideas
for their frankincense gifts. As a symbolic touch,
decorate frankincense presents with bright white
paper and bows to represent the sacred white
incense that Jesus received.


Gifts of Myrrh

Like frankincense, myrrh is also a resin taken
from a special tree; however, rather than being
white, myrrh is a dark, earthy color and has a
rich aroma. In ancient times myrrh was used to
scent anointing oils, perfumes, and embalming
liquids. Today you can still find myrrh added to
some soaps, oils, and loti ons.

Miller notes that myrrh was more costly than
gold or frankincense because it was needed for
the sacred embalming process before a person's
burial. Still, it seems strange to offer an embalming
liquid as a gift to celebrate a baby's birth. But when
you consider that Jesus was born to eventually die
for our sins, the symbolism behind the treasured
gift of myrrh becomes easier to understand. John
19:39-40 confirms that Nicodemus did, in fact,
anoint Jesus with myrrh as part of his burial
preparation.

I a m not, however, suggesting that you give your
child a gift suitable for her funeral. Instead, remind
your children that even though Jesus started out as
a little baby, he was sent to die on the cross to take
the punishment for each of our sins. Then, as a family,
be thankful for Jesus' sacrifice.

For a "myrrh" gift, present each child with something
to "anoint" her body. For instance, you might give
scented bath soaps, perfume or cologne, lotion, or
shampoo. For younger children, choose colorful bath
bubbles or playful tub soaps. To stretch your options
a little far ther, consider buying combs, hair products,
comfy towels, or even make-up if it's age appropriate.
If you look hard enough, you might even find something
made with real myrrh. Wrap the myrrh gift with earth-
toned paper to represent myrrh's rich dark color.


The Real Gift

With a little creativity, these three gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh will help remind your children
that Jesus is our King of kings, our Emmanuel, and
our Sacrificial Lamb. When the extended family arrives
bearing even more gifts, your children will already be
focused on Christ and be able to receive additional
presents gratefully and graciously. They might even
enjoy telling other relatives about their "wise men"gifts.
Have fun with this approach. Your kids might not get it
at first, but as the years go by, it will become a treasured
family tradition; it has for us. No matter how many gifts
come flooding through your door, the three gifts will help
your whole family remember that the most important gift
given on that first blessed Christmas came not from the
wise men, but from God: the gift of his Son and our Savior,
Jesus Christ.

Thank you Jen, i printed this out for my son as he gets older, it's nice to read the true meaning of Christmas once in awhile.. One thing my sister does every Christmas to is bake a Birthday cake for Jesus with her kids, this is something that i will pass on to my son too..

[ARCHIE]

I love Christmas but I can understand how you feel.
I agree that this holiday has become so commercialized that is just
ruins it for lot's of families.
Everything is about labels. I would love to see Christmas return
like they were in the good old days.
Fresh trees, string popcorn around the tree and home made ornaments.
Yummy home made cookies and home made gifts. Carolers going door to
door and coming in for some hot coco and those home made cookies.
No stress, no expensive gifts to give just a plain old fashioned Christmas
and remembering it is our saviour's birth.
Most kids today don't even know the meaning behind Christmas.
Also, my pet peeve, stores decorating for one holiday before the one
before it is even celebrated! It's all about money. Sad really.

[KELLYLYNN]

I miss those days to Archie.... my mom made Christmas so much fun and we use to go caroling and go to our friends house for hot chocolate, that was fun.. she would drive us around to see all the lights...

Believe it or not i was at Wal mart yesterday and they have Valentines baby clothes up already !!!!!!!

[Yorkiekids]

I like Christmas, but it stresses me out for the same reasons it stresses you out.

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I love Christmas but I can understand how you feel.
I agree that this holiday has become so commercialized that is just
ruins it for lot's of families.
Everything is about labels. I would love to see Christmas return
like they were in the good old days.
Fresh trees, string popcorn around the tree and home made ornaments.
Yummy home made cookies and home made gifts. Carolers going door to
door and coming in for some hot coco and those home made cookies.
No stress, no expensive gifts to give just a plain old fashioned Christmas
and remembering it is our saviour's birth.
Most kids today don't even know the meaning behind Christmas.
Also, my pet peeve, stores decorating for one holiday before the one
before it is even celebrated! It's all about money. Sad really.

Very well said.......I miss those days too.......we are trying to (hopefully) continue to relive those past Christmas traditions here with our family!

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by KELLYLYNN

I miss those days to Archie.... my mom made Christmas so much fun and we use to go caroling and go to our friends house for hot chocolate, that was fun.. she would drive us around to see all the lights...

Believe it or not i was at Wal mart yesterday and they have Valentines baby clothes up already !!!!!!!

WHAT??!! Really......that is crazy......I guess it is good to get a "jump start" but whoa...that seems early...but then again....I guess Valentine's Day is not too far away!!!

[Jasper_and_Mom]

I used to LOVE Christmas as a child... how many kids don't??? I remember starting to feel like I didn't like it anymore after my grandmother died on Christmas Day when I was in my late 20's. For the next few years Christmas always reminded me of losing someone I valued immensely. After that it just became a chore - stressed out about money, stressed out about trying to be in a million places at one time... his family, my family... and now that I'm divorced and remarried........... it seems like time has become even more precious. We moved to Massachusetts from Michigan a year an a half ago. We are going home for Christmas this year (last year we couldn't) and I'm finding that even our respective kids are finding it difficult to "work us in" to the schedule. It depresses me...........

[KELLYLYNN]

Originally Posted by Jenn218

WHAT??!! Really......that is crazy......I guess it is good to get a "jump start" but whoa...that seems early...but then again....I guess Valentine's Day is not too far away!!!

Yes, i was looking for a Red Christmas shirt for Micah, my 9 month old son, and i picked one up and it had a hearts on it...(which i looked really fast i thought they were snow flakes at first) i looked around and couldn't believe it...

[mickey3696]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I love Christmas but I can understand how you feel.
I agree that this holiday has become so commercialized that is just
ruins it for lot's of families.
Everything is about labels. I would love to see Christmas return
like they were in the good old days.
Fresh trees, string popcorn around the tree and home made ornaments.
Yummy home made cookies and home made gifts. Carolers going door to
door and coming in for some hot coco and those home made cookies.
No stress, no expensive gifts to give just a plain old fashioned Christmas
and remembering it is our saviour's birth.
Most kids today don't even know the meaning behind Christmas.
Also, my pet peeve, stores decorating for one holiday before the one
before it is even celebrated! It's all about money. Sad really.

I want to go back and have this Christmas. I have not liked Christmas since we got my Son a 4000.00 Dollar 4-wheeler when he was 13 and he let me know he didnt want a 4-wheeler he wanted a motercycle. Excuse me???? I Liked to have killed that child. Money thats what Christmas is all about. I hear people say my child wants this and I cant get it. Why cant kids learn that you dont always get what you want. When did the word want change to need? You need air, water, food, shelter. Not an XBOX, Or 4-wheeler orwhat ever it is. Im ranting!! I too hate Christmas!!!!

[tmatherly]

Originally Posted by Jasper_and_Mom

I used to LOVE Christmas as a child... how many kids don't??? I remember starting to feel like I didn't like it anymore after my grandmother died on Christmas Day when I was in my late 20's. For the next few years Christmas always reminded me of losing someone I valued immensely. After that it just became a chore - stressed out about money, stressed out about trying to be in a million places at one time... his family, my family... and now that I'm divorced and remarried........... it seems like time has become even more precious. We moved to Massachusetts from Michigan a year an a half ago. We are going home for Christmas this year (last year we couldn't) and I'm finding that even our respective kids are finding it difficult to "work us in" to the schedule. It depresses me...........

Exactly! It feels like more work than fun, and costs us too much money and is over in 1 day.

[tmatherly]

Originally Posted by mickey3696

I want to go back and have this Christmas. I have not liked Christmas since we got my Son a 4000.00 Dollar 4-wheeler when he was 13 and he let me know he didnt want a 4-wheeler he wanted a motercycle. Excuse me???? I Liked to have killed that child. Money thats what Christmas is all about. I hear people say my child wants this and I cant get it. Why cant kids learn that you dont always get what you want. When did the word want change to need? You need air, water, food, shelter. Not an XBOX, Or 4-wheeler orwhat ever it is. Im ranting!! I too hate Christmas!!!!

You know, you made me realize the other reason that Christmas is no fun for me anymore. My kids are all teenagers. The magic of Christmas for children is gone, and they want stuff that is expensive and then are ungrateful for the most part for what they do get.

[mickey3696]

Originally Posted by tmatherly

You know, you made me realize the other reason that Christmas is no fun for me anymore. My kids are all teenagers. The magic of Christmas for children is gone, and they want stuff that is expensive and then are ungrateful for the most part for what they do get.

I have an idea All of us that hate Christmas for all these reasons should get together and forget all about everyone els and have Christmas with just us... Just the people that know what Christmas really is. The good old fashion Christmas.. I would just love to have one of those. Anyone game ?????LOL It was just a thought. And no kids over say 7. What do you all think???

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Most kids today don't even know the meaning behind Christmas. Also, my pet peeve, stores decorating for one holiday before the one before it is even celebrated! It's all about money. Sad really.

I don't 'hate' Christmas; but, both these are reasons we choose not to recognize this commercialized day. I don't want to say "ba-humbug"; but, it really bugs me that we don't even give Thanksgiving its due time in the limelight before Christmas lights are up!

[Monday]

I went to a friend's Christmas party where we each brought bags of groceries that she delivers to the local food pantry.

Then I started thinking of my good fortune...and called the local food pantry to get the name of a family whom I could 'adopt' for Christmas.

I called them, found out how many in their family and will deliver a gift certificate from Walmart to them on Monday.
Makes me feel good to help someone else have a happier holiday.

I had been doing this for years in a different way. Used to do it with my class, but then the Board of Education said
we could not collect $$$ from the children to make donations <????>
so I continued it myself. Now I shall add this other method so I can help others.

[Baby Blessing]

Christmas has became so commercialized and the stores are all about ringing up the $$$$$$$$'s that Xmas has became just a materialistic time for them. I used the Xmas here to bring a point up; for us Christmas is all about God loving us so much that he brought Jesus into this world for each and everyone's atonement in life to have eternal life here after. I make myself a reminder of the stores that leave out Christ in Christmas advertisements and not to shop in their stores anymore.

I love Christmas, not for the day, but for the meaning it holds for each and everyday of my life and others.

I recall one very special Christmas Day we spent with our children many years back, 40 years ago, we went to the Rev. Jordan's missionary on Skid Row in Los Angeles and we sat in the private area upstairs behind a glass window, we were able to join in with those that came in off skid row to have service before free meals were served to them, watching the many go forward and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour was my most memorable Christmas Day of my life. I am sure this followed through with our three children too. Another way of celebrating was not a theme of poinsettas or what ever for a table cloth, but I purchased the Happy Birthday Table Clothes and our meals were served on them each Christmas through many years. Jack and myself wanted to instill in our children the true meaning of Christmas.

I just want to say I hope each and every one has a Happy Blessed Christmas Day, and I say, "Thank you God, in bringing Jesus into this world so that one day when this life is over, we shall live forever in your eternal home together with other loved ones." I am so thankful for my beliefs and HIS great love for me, HE has always helped me through so many difficult times

Sincerely, Patti and Jack
Prairie Bea, Dollie Dae and Baby Blessing