Many homes and Christmas trees around the country will be adorned with fewer gifts than usual this year as millions of people are either under-employed or unemployed, and have been so for months. Parents and gift-givers are making difficult choices about what they can spend and for whom they can afford gifts. This may cause heartache for many parents, friends and children, but there are silver and gold linings that can glow with the Joy of Christmas in ways that would be less likely if our economy were roaring.
Christians have a rich opportunity to experience the beauty, bounty and blessedness of Christmas in ways that bring us back to the real meaning of Christmas in sustained and enduring ways. The economy and our financial challenges are spurring innovative approaches to bring families together in more ecumenical, and less commercial, ways. We can help one another see and feel the selflessness, beauty and blessedness of God’s Divine Love this Christmas.
Explore a few the ideas below and there is a good chance that Christmas could be changed forever; both at home and at work, once the gift of your next job comes your way.
Make a Gift – I learned of one teen who has banished his family from the basement as he works away making gifts in his own version of Santa’s Workshop over the past few years. His siblings and parents must knock before entering for fear that a family member might walk in while he works on that person’s gift. This teen has whittled wooden replicas of ol’ St. Nick, has sewn customized bags and log-carriers, and has used wire to create many wonderful figures and shapes. He has saved a lot of money and the family home is warmer the past two Christmases with decorations and gifts made out wood, metal, leather and cloth.
I recently heard of Genevieve, who is quietly rebelling against her in-law’s Olympian gift-giving bazaar. She’s decided to bake loaves of various breads as a monthly gift for her mother-in-law, whom she drew in the family’s Secret Santa. Her hope is that her mother-in-law savors her monthly gift of bread as a reminder of the live-giving-love of Christ.
Make A Family Donation – One friend’s family has cultivated a great Christmas tradition, replete with charity and joy; along with a little drama, competition, and a game-of-chance as well. The tradition started when seven siblings and their spouses had more children than a Christmas list could reasonably hold. The family now gathers after Christmas dinner when gifts would have been exchanged. Only now, various family members make short, but formal proposals endorsing a contribution to a charity of their choice. The proposals are passionate, detailed and fun. Afterwards, a vote is taken to determine the winning proposition: funds are collected and tallied. A side raffle has a gift prize for the person who comes closest to predicting the amount collected that year, which is now in the tens of thousands of dollars. What a terrific way to strengthen the family bond in Christ, have fun and do good together.
This family’s donation is made in the New Year and a report is made each Christmas on exactly how last-year’s contribution was deployed by the charity over the course of the year. It’s organized, festive, and has inspired other versions in several families who’ve heard about what has come to be known as the Curran-Christmas tradition.
Give to Those in Need ‘PERSONALLY’ – No doubt, much-needed donations are made each Christmas. But this could be the year to go as a family and personally help a person in need. It is a powerful and life-changing experience to give a warm meal, a jacket, pair of shoes, or even a prayer or a hymn to the hungry, lonely, elderly, or sick. It is a great example for our children to care for those Christ mentioned in the Gospels.
Gift of Time – When out of work, it costs nothing to visit with family, friends, children, neighbors or even visit the Blessed Sacrament. Share stories, listen, play a game, say a prayer, or make a simple meal to soak in the Joy and Beauty of Christ’s Birth.
Try any of these things and your Christmas will be Joyful in new ways. But more importantly, someone else’s Christmas will be more golden. When you land a better job or return to work, you will likely be renewed and inspired in ways you were not when a glut of gifts did more to define Christmas.
“Glory to God, and on earth peace, toward men of good will” (Luke 2:14)
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Joseph (“Joe”) Quinn is a sales consultant, career coach and teacher. He also serves as a facilitator in a Catholic men’s Bible study on the East Coast and has been out of work since July 2012. Learn more or connect with Joe at www.jquinnmgt.com