This Advent Season what might happen when we stir up the Gift of God within Christ’s Church too? Advent 24 begins...

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. II Timothy 1:6

In many cases, presents and money are a bit of a shortcut route to expressing affection. When you remove them, you can really get creative on ways to show love to your family and friends. Some examples of current creative ideas this 2024 season might be to join new  Global Methodist Church congregations. At date of this post we gave over 1 million to hurricane relief efforts. Or join us in gifting cycles for pastors and lay leaders doing new church starts in Ethiopia….

Why try such a no-gift; or fewer gifts; or family mission gift for Christmas?

Are you not sold on the idea of (gasp) no presents on Christmas?? That’s okay! Here are the reasons why it’s beneficial.

This might convince you, or it might give you some ideas of how to improve your Christmas experience within the bounds of “tradition,” i.e. capitalism.

1. Physical gifts clutter up your house

Nothing sets a minimalist back like the holiday season. Not buying gifts means you’re not bringing loads of new items into the house.

If you still want gifts: Employ the two-week-clean-out after gift-giving occasions to keep toys under control.

2. Save tons of time on holiday shopping

Skip the two-weeks-from-Christmas scramble to make sure everyone on your list has a box set of bath bombs or a novelty reindeer that poops jellybeans!

If you still want gifts: Work on buying throughout the year. There are lots of great deals right after Christmas, especially. This allows you to passively collect the gifts you want without the chaos.

3. Save tons of MONEY

The average US family spends around $1,000 on gifts for their immediate relatives… That’s not counting extended relatives, friends, your kid’s teacher, the mail carrier…

If you still want gifts: Think about homemade gifts or labors of love! Nothing wrong with a good coupon book promising to clean a car, babysit a kid, or cook a meal.

PS: The things I mentioned in the coupon book are NOT!!!!!!! something to give your partner! It’s not babysitting if it’s your baby. Grow up! Anyway,

4. Instill community in your grandchildren and or your children

Kids learn by example, and setting the precedent for them early that family and community are more important physical gifts will set them up to be more content and successful down the road.

If you still want gifts: Have open conversations with your kids about gift culture, be reasonable with the amount you give them, and be sure to incorporate non-gift related activities into your holidays.

5. Save waste on wrapping paper

The US uses an estimated 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper each year, JUST for Christmas. Skipping gifts means skipping the wrapping.

If you still want gifts: Repurpose paper clutter into creative homemade wrapping paper, or wrap with reusable fabric.

6. Remove the feeling of obligation

You might not realize how stressful gift-giving can be on all sides. Some people truly express and receive love through gifts, but how much of that do you think we can attribute to the way we were raised? Quite a bit, I’d bet.

If you still want gifts: Truly try to only give gifts that you’re excited to give to people that you’re excited to give them to.

7. Find creative ways to express affection

These ideas are listed at https://nourishingminimalism.com/how-to-have-a-special-christmas-day-without-gifts/

Again in many cases, presents and money are a bit of a shortcut route to expressing affection. When you remove them, you can really get creative on ways to show love to your family and friends  and Jesus bride - the Church to whom you are in covenant as you live out your membership vows as a member of Jesus body in the world today....

May Christ be seen within you as you stir up your gifts for Jesus this season,

Pastor Ricky

Faithbridge GMC

Advent 2024