This is a Journal entry by Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.")
Christmas
Good Doctor Zomnker (This must be Tuesday," said GDZ to himself, sinking low over his Dr. Pepper, "I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.") Started conversation Jan 9, 2009
The Christmas season is a very important time of year for most people, including me. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and of the gifts that he was presented by the Wise men from the east.
In past years my attitude toward Christmas has been more Consumerist; it was all about the receiving of gifts and the purchasing of the latest toys for my children. When I could not afford to provide Christmas for my children, I obtained help from charitable organizations so that they would have the newest toys.
Christmas day itself was about traveling to the residences of many relatives to obtain more, more, more. The problem with this attitude was that it was not very fulfilling, more was never enough. It was also very stressful; who do we go see first? How long do we stay at each place? What is the weather like? How are the roads? It was insanity.
Three Christmases ago this all began to change. I met someone, my fiancée, who was able to help me see that the true spirit of Christmas is not about the reception of gifts; it is about the giving of them and knowing you have done well. It is about loving others as you love yourself and about treating others as you want to be treated.
This year, for the first time ever, I was the one who was giving to charitable organizations. First we purchased items that families in need in our church requested. There were 4 gifts, one from each member of my family. The second donation was a monetary contribution to a shelter for the homeless called The Road Home.
Despite the contributions we made this past year, I know there is still a lot of that consumerist in me. Through learning from the actions of my fiancée, however, I know that I can be a much more charitable person than I have been in the past. I also know that I can teach my children to be just as charitable.
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Christmas
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