Was your Thanksgiving enjoyable? Did you appreciate the time you spent with family and friends, and reflect on all the blessings that we, as Americans possess?
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, as it allows me the opportunity to reflect upon all I have been given and be truly grateful for what the Lord has provided.
Then we immediately transition from the thankfulness for what we have to Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. Do we really need to rush out and buy more? Running out to buy the latest gadget right after offering thanks for what we have seems incongruous. However, I do understand the desire to save money, as money is tight, especially at this time of year.
I have friends who braved Crestview Wal-Mart, which was so busy they parked on the grass back by the strip mall. They reported that the front part of Wal-Mart was quiet and serene, but once you walked back where the bargains were, there were lines of people waiting for their desired bargain. They are braver than I, and yes, they got the item they desired.
We have entered the season of Advent, which is a time of preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. During this time of rushing around, we can use some quiet time to reflect on the greatest gift ever given to humankind, the birth of Jesus Christ. As the Christmas carol says, "Let every heart prepare Him room…."
Are our hearts open to the Lord this season, or just to the shopping bargains that can be had?
Some gift ideas that we, as caring Christians can give this year:
•buy groceries for a struggling family — enough to fill their cupboards
•pay one or more of their utility bills
•pay their car tags or car insurance
•buy gifts for them to give their children for Christmas
•adopt a family or children through your church
There are many ways to make the season brighter for those in need — be creative. Let's put actions to our words and share our Christian charity with one another and ease someone's burdens.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: 5 Christmas gift ideas that show you care