10 tips for a simpler, more meaningful Christmas

Bread for the World (BFW) shared these thoughts from Gary Cook, BFW's director of church relations. He wrote the introduction for this year's Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?, the annual resource from Alternatives for Simple Living.

1. Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after Thanksgiving, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do and who's going to do what.
2. If you need a symbol for giving (in addition to Jesus and the Three Wise Ones), learn about St. Nicholas. Santa Claus has been completely taken over by commerce.
3. Avoid debt. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to overspend.
4. Avoid stress. Give yourself the gift of time. Don't assume that things have to be the same way they've always been.
5. Draw names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a ceiling for each recipient. Give children ONE thing they really want, rather than so many gifts. If need be, pool funds.
6. Give appropriate gifts. Get to know the recipient. Give what they want to receive not what you want to buy.
7. Give alternative gifts. Give 25 percent of what you spent last year to the needy--individuals or groups locally, nationally, or internationally. Buy crafts and clothing from developing countries at alternative gift markets, not from commercial importers, so that the artisans receive a fair price for their work. Give of yourself, not just "stuff"--a coupon book for future services (such as baby-sitting or an "enchanted evening"); something baked, sewn, handmade, composed, etc.; or a family service project, such as working together at a soup kitchen.
8. Celebrate Advent for four weeks before Christmas.
9. Put the gifts under the tree shortly before opening them. Then take turns opening them around the tree, not all at once, so that each gift can be admired and each giver thanked.
10. Make changes slowly but persistently. Don't try to change everything and everybody all at once. The resistance will make you feel defeated and lonely.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS HUNGER RESOURCES

Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? includes reflections, activities, how-to's, and other ideas, and it is designed to be used as a congregation, family, or by an individual. To order, visit www.simpleliving.org.

A collection of Advent and Christmas resources for hunger awareness can be found at www.bread.org/go/advent. These downloadable documents include activities for both children and adults. Be sure to check out the Christmas Cards to Members of Congress (PDF).

A Prayer based upon Psalm 103

Lord of steadfast love and mercy,
Through your Word, you have set promises before your people.
Promises for good and not for evil,
Promises for care and not for harm,
Promises fulfilled through life and death,
Promises realized through sorrow and joy.

You have washed us clean, and guided us in righteousness.
Eternal is your Word and life-altering your love.

Still, we have strayed all too often and trusted too little.
Our words have been cold, and our hearts closed off.
In emptiness we have trusted and falseness we have acted.

Yet you have washed us clean, and guided us in righteousness.
Eternal is your Word and life-altering your love.

In these seasons of giving and thanksgiving, remind us of
that love which knows no bounds. Guide us in your desire
for justice and forgiveness. And teach us to give, even as you are giving.

In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen

From Lutheran World Relief

Seasonings for a Crossover Season

The end of October and the beginning of November is truly a "crossover" season. We in the church celebrate Reformation Day and All Saints Day and Thanksgiving before the end of the church year and the beginning of the Advent season. The secular world is busy thinking about Halloween, seldom aware that they are really celebrating All Hallow's Eve prior to All Saints Day.

Since Reformation Day, October 31, fell on a Sunday this year, how about considering a reformation of your customs for trick and treating in your neighborhood? Many of us can remember the bright UNICEF boxes that children were encouraged to use on Halloween night, asking at homes for contributions which were shared for the needs of education and welfare of children around the world. Yes, they are still available. They help teach children about others and encourage them to think beyond candy.

Speaking of candy, have you heard about reverse trick and treating? Instead of asking for candy, children offer fair trade candy to their neighbors, along with information about fair trade. Divine Chocolate is a perfect choice for this new custom; the chocolate is fair trade and Lutheran World Relief (that's you and me) are even part owners in this sweet company in Ghana. Perhaps these are ideas to tuck away for next Halloween.

Give special thanks for the saints who have gone before us in the faith and for the abundance which God provides.

RESOURCES

Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal by Anne Basye is an excellent resource for everyone.  Anne records a year of "living simply, asking questions about faith, money and abundance."  It is also about a year with significant changes in her personal life as her son is leaving for college and she begins to think about life as a single woman alone.

Anne is an author, columnist, and poet. Occasionally she contributes to the blog on the ELCA World Hunger website, "Hunger Rumblings," http://blogs.elca.org/hungerrumblings. You will find that this book is full of practical ideas to simplify your life. You will also enjoy that the book looks like a journal with drawings, sticky notes, coffee stains, and the like. The book is excellent for personal reading, for sharing in devotions, and for hunger group discussions.

Sustaining Simplicity is available through Augsburg Fortress. Check the ELCA World Hunger website (www.elca.org/hunger) or the bookstore at Luther Seminary (bookstore@luthersem.edu).

EVENTS AND SPECIAL DAYS

Plan ahead now for December 1st, World AIDS Day, a time to join the global community in increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS as well as remembering those affected and infected by the virus. The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to launch a new strategy for ministry with people affected by HIV and AIDS worldwide. December 1st (or Sunday, November 29th) is a good time to let your congregation know about this initiative and get their support for the endeavor.

Worship resources and additional ideas are available at www.elca.org/aids.

PONDERINGS/MUSINGS

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet."