by Susan Causey, FPD School Counselor
Christmas is a magical time of year for children and adults. The holiday lights, ribbons, trees, music, gifts, festivities, food, family, and friends all add to the celebratory mood. For Christians, it is especially a time to reflect on the God of the universe sending His one and only begotten Son to live among us, to relate to our humanness, to teach us a better way to live, to suffer and die for our sins in order for us to have abundant and eternal life. His sacrificial death and resurrection brought those who believe a personal relationship through Jesus to God the Father.
I love Christmas! However, at one time, our family and gift-giving had become so over whelming. I had more than 25 gifts to purchase, not including my immediate family. This can be challenging to your schedule and pocketbook. Thankfully, the extended family decided to draw straws, which helped immensely. Gift exchange is a fun part of the season and was first modeled by the Magi who brought gifts to the baby Jesus.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of parents giving good gifts to their children and how much more “Your Father, who is in heaven, gives good gifts to them that ask him.” However, the commercialism and materialism of Christmas can get out of hand and overshadow the true meaning of the season.
Too much stuff can teach our children to have the wrong focus. Of course, we want to give them things, but too much too soon can contribute to an attitude of entitlement, a greed and insatiable desire for more. It can stifle what brings real meaning, joy, and the satisfaction of an eternal perspective— serving others and God.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . . . No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Whom are you serving this Christmas?
Want to learn more about an education at FPD?
Mrs. Causey is a native of Macon and received her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from Vanderbilt University in 1976 and a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University with a Certificate in Biblical Studies in 1978. She has held a license as Professional Counselor since 1985. She has been with First Presbyterian Day School since 1998. During that time she spent a 2 year interim as Director of Bethany Christian Services of Georgia, which is now Covenant Care, and for 5 years was the Administrator of MGPCC.