This year’s shopping is almost complete. We celebrated early with the kids and grandkids so that the families could spend Christmas Day with the in-laws this year.
I don’t mind the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping; in fact, I enjoy it. Black Friday and Christmas Eve shopping add an excitement that is only hindered when I have to buy a gift and can’t find the end of the check-out line. But when my shopping is complete, I love to sit with a cup of cocoa and watch other shopper’s frenzied search.
One news show likened shopping to hunting. The people who study such things found that we get a high with each successful shopping trip. Like the old time hunting raids, we search for the right thing find it, buy it, and release a stream of hormones that cause a euphoric feeling.
During the holidays, we shop over a longer period of time, giving us more days to feel better. But the day after, when the bills are due, that wonderful feeling falls flat, maybe even dips, into buyer’s remorse.
Perhaps there is a way to get that euphoric feeling without spending ourselves into poverty buying stuff. There are many needs, financially, emotionally, and relationally. We can find someone in our sphere of influence in need of groceries, gas, or a winter coat. This year we see more families struggling to meet those basic needs.
Some of you will say, we’re still buying stuff…just for someone else. There are ways to give without spending money.
We could give our time, a valuable commodity at this time of year, running errands for someone who can’t get out of the house.
Moms and dads need shopping and wrapping time, so volunteering to watch the little ones while they get out would be a blessing.
Loneliness abounds, many of us have lost loved ones this year. A phone call, an offer of a ride, an invitation for a show or making and sharing a meal out might bring a lift in one’s spirit.
We can even have an impact on people we will never meet. Opportunities abound in a multitude of potential charities which will use our time and/or money to bring a blessing to people in need.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
The the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.”
They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?”
He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Matthew 25:31-45 NIV
TRICIA LATHROP 