Contentment! Bah, Humbug!!

This is an updated paper I wrote when my kids were little. :-) It was a good reminder to myself, so I thought I'd share it.

As we enter into the Christmas Season, we will be hearing and reading alot about contentment. We are told and we tell our children to be content with what they have. A very scriptural concept.
Contentment is fantastic, but doesn't God also talk about knowing how to abound (Phil. 4:12), letting our requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6), and filling our cups to overflowing. Don't fathers today model God our Heavenly Father? Doesn't the Bible say fathers like to give good gifts to their children and so much more does God!
There have been numerous stories told about children and adults who prayed for a non-essential item and received it. I do believe they were thankful for what they already had, but it is not a sin to desire something extra nice or just for fun.
Our kids have alot said about don't do this, don't do that, etc. Is this a time for another Don't? Don't be discontent. Don't want "you name it".
I think it's time to focus on the positive aspects of giving and receiving at Christmas time. We need to have positive , practical ways of encouraging giving at Christmas time and the gimme, gimme attitude will fade in the experience and joy of giving to others.
Here are a few starters:
* Have the child think of another child who has less than he has. (Angel tree, etc.) Once chosen, give him a list of jobs he can do to earn extra money. Encourage creativity in finding other ways of earning money to buy the child a gift. If at all possible, let him meet the child he gets to get a present for.
* Encourage your children to make their own Christmas lists of who they would like to give a present to. This has really helped our family focus on others at Christmas time. It also helps the kids to appreciate the work that went into remembering others and the time and money someone else invested in them.
* Talk often of the Christ child and what He gave us. Make ornaments for the tree telling of the gifts He gives us: Salvation, forgiveness, heaven, joy, family, friends, etc.
* Volunteer at Salvation Army or another center when they serve a meal. When I was growing up, our family did this a couple years. It was an eye opener to see children so poor and happy. It was fun to feel like I could actually "do something" for someone who needed it. When I went back home, I definitely felt more content and grateful for what I had.
* Visit the nursing Home and sing Christmas carols. This reminds us and our children how much our good health is a blessing and how short our time on earth is. The contentment one feels after such a trip is priceless.
I think anticipation and excitement are great blessings. When you anticipate this Christmas Season, may it be with the discontentment that comes from still wanting to finds ways to bless others and the contentment that comes as the result of seeing those goals become reality.
Merry Christmas!! :-)