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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Christmas (04/25/05)
I’m a Scrooge. Okay. There, I said it.

For years I have complained and pouted and been exasperated during the Holidays. Nothing gets under my skin more than all the hustle and bustle, advertising, merchandising, and materialism that Christmas brings.

Coming from a large family is wonderful! I love my family. But when Christmas rolls around each year, I would like to fly away to some tropical island and forget about them.

What kind of Christmas spirit is this?

Dare I say it?

“BAH! HUMBUG!”

Don’t get me wrong. I love the original intent. Celebrating the birth of our Savior should be and could be the most moving spiritual event of the year.

So why am I a scrooge?

I don’t really know when it began. Probably when I grew up and realized how Christmas had been changed from the celebration of the Lord’s birth into a marketing ploy to put the consumer in debt up to their neck. While I love to give and receive gifts, the cost can be tremendous.

The chore of shopping and making lists and wrapping gifts and decorating! Whew! I am stressed already just thinking about it. Whose idea was all this anyway?

But wait. Didn’t the Father give His only Son? What an amazing gift! And at what cost! Not only did He leave His heavenly home in glory to come and live as one of us, He gave His life so that we could live in glory with Him. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB)

The very first Christmas gift was the Father’s gift of His Son. He gave the most costly gift ever given. I balk at spending $25.00 on someone.

Thank You God! I am so glad that You are not a Scrooge. You are the grandest gift giver of all!
Without You, we would have no hope or joy.

Guess I will have to rid myself of Scrooginess, and try to become more like my Father.. Giving gifts from the heart. Gifts that cost me something.

Okay! Merry Christmas everyone! God bless you!
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This article has been read 802 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Pam Kumpe
05/02/05
but wait....you realize the importance of our Savior and his amazing gift....thank you for this story....
donna robinson
05/03/05
I think this is often the price of adulthood! We love it as children because we are predominantly the receivers. Then adult status hits and we no longer see the reason but just the season. It's enough to make Bahhumbugs out of all of us! yet, I think the secret is to find ways to help someone you don't know at this time, someone that will never know your name only feel your love by the gift. That's the line this story got me to thinking about!
Kathy Ellis
05/05/05
Thanks for the comments everyone.... I know I know... I should have elaborated a bit more, but I was a bit rusty. Haven't posted in a month. Yes! The gifts we remember and hold most dear are those that have nothing to do with ribbons and wrap. Merry Christmas!
Debbie OConnor
05/05/05
This is VERY good. I really like the message. You said a lot with few words and you integrated humor in a way that made it a pleasure to read.
Maxx . 
05/05/05
Most excellent! I can relate! :-)