"Christmas: Has it Become the Me Tree?" Backstage with Dr. Laurie Johnson, LPC Holidays Part Two

           

        

              When I was in college, a Creative Writing student wrote an intriguing, futuristic essay about celebrating Christmas. In it, she described how the familiar holiday tradition of putting up and decorating a Christmas tree would change dramatically, over the years. If I remember correctly, my classmate opened the story with a little girl and granddad surveying the decorated tree with delight, as the grandfather explained the profound meaning of it. However, in a very provocative twist, it was revealed that a different kind of tree had replaced the Christmas tree. Not a different breed of evergreen. Not a pre-lit tree. Not a metallic tree. The tree was still an evergreen. But, it was now celebrated as the "Me" Tree. I can't remember how the story unfolded from there, because I was so taken aback by the idea of society highjacking the holiday and making it a way to laud ourselves instead of having reverence for its true meaning, that I barely listened to the rest of the story. I think, even then, I realized there was more forecast than fiction in that essay.

            Before the holidays get here, with steep expectations about gift lists, entertaining, office parties, and family gatherings, let's take a few minutes to check our soul compass. Who are the holidays about, for you? I readily admit that I've been guilty of something similar to putting up a "Me" tree. I've wanted the tree of my choice, decorated my way, and I've scrutinized presents underneath it to see if they suited me. How about you? Be honest!

            Probably the best antidote to a self-absorbed holiday season is to prioritize giving. I don't mean giving the obligatory gifts and gift cards and party invites to familiar faces who in turn reciprocate in kind. But, rather, giving to those in need, who truly need us to share our resources with them. This may mean extending to strangers the blessings that we take for granted--safe shelter, warm clothes and decent shoes, adequate food, the graces to find a job and land a job, transportation, and freedom from abuse, addiction, and domestic abuse.

            Hopefully, your kids' school or youth group has encouraged them to get involved in community outreach. Perhaps they have earned "community service" hours. Perhaps you are a part of an adult service club that raises money to eliminate polio or to help fund local agencies. But, have you prioritized this as a family activity? Maybe this is the year to mobilize your spouse, friends, or family to help stock the community food pantry, or serve at a local soup kitchen, together. It may mean donating to a warm clothing drive, a toy drive, or a can-a-thon. As anyone involved in outreach will tell  you, the soul rewards of helping, far outweigh any sacrifice it involves. It also serves to strengthen marital and family bonds, to focus outward bound compassion. Thankfully, there is a vital role for every person to play! A call to local agencies, or to 2-1-1, will help you find where your skills would be greatly appreciated, from everything from swinging a hammer on a Habitat House, pitching a ball at the Miracle Field, baking goods for the Senior Center, playing piano at Floyd Medical Center, or visiting folks at a nursing home. You may well find that the joy of pitching in during the holidays, becomes a habit that lasts all year!

            I'd also like to highlight four additional places to offer your time and financial aid: The Salvation Army, the Murphy-Harpst Children's Home, Q102 Cheerful Givers, and Operation Christmas Child.

Look for Life Changing Giving: The Salvation Army:  Offering national and local assistance, this organization seeks to help youth and adults find safe shelter, develop life skills, overcome addiction, and escape poverty. Their services includes adult rehabilitation, Veteran services, prison ministry, and elderly services. They also combat human trafficking and respond to natural disasters. Help fill their "red kettle" this year! www.salvationarmyusa.org. 

Look for Life Saving Giving: Murphy-Harpst Children's Home: Imagine being 3 years old, arriving at a strange place, with your life possessions stuffed in a small trash bag. No toys. No change of clothing. No family. That is the predicament of many kids who find love and healing at Murphy-Harpst Children's Home. Many of these boys and girls look at a toy with confusion, because their lives have never been about playing or being a child. This local organization ministers to Georgia's youngest and most severely (sexually, physically, and emotionally) abused girls and boys, with residential housing, therapeutic care, and tender love. This non-profit organization has a 91% success rate of helping traumatized children recover and reach age 18 with a positive outlook and vibrant life skills. State budget cuts have drastically cut therapeutic service funding, creating an urgent need for donations. Please consider giving a financial gift to Murphy-Harpst. Inspiring stories at www.murphyharpst.org.

Look for Local Radio Giving: For example, in North Georgia, Q 102 Cheerful Givers project: Hosted by a local radio station, this program invites you to "Play Santa" for  Floyd County children who are under the care of the Department of Family and Children Services, who are not serviced by any other agency or charity. Wish Lists can be viewed at www.q102rome.com.

Look for International Giving: Operation Christmas Child: My family has loved our involvement with this outreach of the Samaritan's Purse. Ages 13yrs and up are invited to volunteer at gift box processing centers, and all ages are invited to pack gift shoe boxes with items like toys, school supplies, hygiene items, books, etc., to be delivered to children in need. Messages of hope, love, and the gospel accompany these boxes to children around the world. Pinterest ideas abound for low cost, high joy items! www.samaritanspurse.org.

            Chances are, for many of us, we've unknowingly slipped dangerously close to putting up the "Me" tree, or "Me" menorah, or "Me" Kwanzaa decorations, driven by the distractions and exhaustion felt this time of year. But, this year, we can determine to  make this a time of deep spiritual renewal. If we do that, I believe that concern for those around us who suffer in body or spirit, will become an impassioned commitment! We'll be drawn to look beyond ourselves, to reach out to others. Not because it makes us look good to others, but because a hunger develops inside us to feed the hungry. We'll thirst for encounters that grace and comfort others, young and old. We'll light up this community with love and connectedness that will keep us meaningfully engaged all year!

             Just imagine helping to rescue a baby from poverty, a toddler from abuse, a teen from choosing the gang life, an adult from drowning in addiction, or a couple at wits end from the scars of deployment and PTSD. The help YOU give, may enable a suicidal teen to find hope or a child fighting cancer to feel connected to friends through a laptop computer. These gifts may not fit beneath your holiday decorations, but they will most certainly create a glow within you, that warms and lightens your way and the way of others. Now, that is how to LIVE and GIVE the holiday spirit all year around!