Consumed with Whom?

Today, I swam upstream in a sea of shoppers. Browsing for the perfect Christmas gift.

Never mind that Christ came as the Lamb of God to Save people from their sins on that first Christmas,

Businesses are glad to Save me a buck this time of year (and spend one too) so long as I…..

  • Shop on a particular date
  • Use a coupon
  • Buy two items to get one free.
  • Mail in a rebate

After two hours, and minimum results, I called it a day. I don’t have the shopper gene, and gifts aren’t my love language.

My trash can is full of unread, glossy catalogs and holiday coupons. I delete email advertisements that urge me to “Hurry up and Buy.”

Even charities finagle how to guilt me into year-end giving—tax deductible of course.

I DO LOVE CHRISTMAS, but it makes me crazy that Consumerism has taken center stage over Christ.

We’re solicited to purchase Christmas gifts, but  learning how to receive the GIFT of GOD is taboo.

I get it. Not everyone who celebrates “Christmas” believes in the name of Jesus. Did you know there’s a giant Christmas tree in a Dubai shopping mall? Isn’t that city located in a Muslim country?

Sorry, rabbit trail….Let me point my finger back to myself.

I can sit on my Christian high horse and spout, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” However, unless I’m intentional about my relationship with Him, I’m prone to wander through the merry month of December, consuming goods and calories.

Consumed with everything and everyone, but Him.

Ten years ago, I was confronted with my wanderlust. After the Christmas season, I packed the ceramic nativity set on my fireplace mantel before I noticed…

Baby Jesus is missing!

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No manger full of straw, no bright-eyed babe for Mary and Joseph to adore.

Wise men and shepherds kneeled, and yet the newborn King wasn’t around for them to worship.

Baby Jesus was on my desk, buried beneath clearance ads.

I cradled the tiny figurine. How did I go through Christmas unaware the Christ Child was missing?

Then again, my spiritual disciplines and time with the Lord weren’t on my checklists—buy gifts, mail cards, bake cookies, watch Christmas movies.

My all-consuming, weary efforts to celebrate Jesus’ birth that year were a vain attempt to possess what I already had experienced, and thoughtlessly forsaken, the joy of abiding in Christ.

Abiding, even in this…busiest, most wonderful time of the year.

Is Jesus missing in your life?

 

Author: Karen Foster

I'd like to say I've changed, but after decades of living, I still have the same four passions. My relationship with Jesus, spending time with family, attending live theater, and writing devotions & first-person stories about a loving, faithful God who reveals Himself in our every day circumstances.

13 thoughts on “Consumed with Whom?”

  2. I don’t have the shopping gene and gifts are not my language of love either! I’ve never seen that articulated before and it makes me feel relieved. Indoor malls give me hives–I can’t stand anything about them. However, I’m 100% guilty of reducing my time with God to try to get all my Dec “stuff” done, and I don’t even go overboard. When will I ever change? I say this every year…

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    1. Does seem sad that we spend so much time getting ready for Jesus’ birthday that we don’t have as much time to spend with Him. I always want to beat myself up, but now I just open hands and ask for His grace to cover my weakness. Thanks for sharing.

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      1. I like your post on Psalm 143 Karen, this post has hit me just as I am in the middle of one of my downtime’s, Guess I will turn to Psalm 143. Thanks for the insite. By the way I like your theme but it is not in the wordpress themes page.

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        1. Alex, I can’t tell you how many times Psalm 143 ministers to my heart. I think even my recent post had that Psalm. When I’m in a funk, the Psalm gets my eyes off my self, and my circumstances because I ponder what the Lord has done in my life. If you look back, I’m sure you will see and be amazed at His goodness and love in your life. Praying for you today! Thank you for making me aware of the theme page. I’ll check into it.

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    1. Adria, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I rang the bell today for Salvation Army. Made me feel good to help an organization that reaches out to the community’s needs. The spirit of giving is something we can do all year long.

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      1. My family always tries to volunteer at the Salvation Army or at a food bank or something around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of my best family holiday memories involve serving together!

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  6. Love how our Father gives you His words to share…teaching and reminding us of His great love and our need for Him! Thanks for your obedience 🙂

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    1. Yes, Cathy, we need the Lord. Equally amazing is His desire to fellowship with us. Funny that you mention obedience because our sermon today was Hebrews 12: 1,2. Christ was obedient to the Father. He aimed to please the Lord. May our words and actions this Christmas season please the Lord, too!

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