In recent years, I’ve been troubled by a publication that comes across my desk this time each year.  An organization called ‘Alternatives for Simple Living’ annually publishes a newsletter called “Whose Birthday is it Anyway: Ideas for a Christ-Centered Holiday.”

Those who know me well are probably smirking or stifling a laugh.  Though I grew up Brethren, I’m far from being anyone’s model of simplicity.  I LOVE things.  I love nice things.  I love expensive things.  I like having the BEST things.  It’s not that I’m into the conspicuous display of wealth.  It’s just that I like knowing that what I have is high in quality and unlikely to break or cause me grief.

So this newsletter I get reminds me that I really struggle with my materialism.  Just when I’ve been thinking about all of the really great things I want to get for Christmas this year (and, of course, what I want to give) I see this article asking me how I can simplify my life.

I guess that’s where all of you come in.  Accountability.  I need help.  I’m addicted to consuming things.  I need my spiritual family to help carve out a community that can fortify my struggle against it.  I need to surround myself this season with a culture of Christmas–the Real Christmas, that is.

How about you?  Do you need help simplifying your Christmas?  Would you like to help me create a culture of counter-consumerism?

Why a Simpler Christmas?

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If you’d like the support of your church family to place the focus of the season back on Christ, I invite you to bring your ideas.  This is the time to start.