This advent has been a great advent for me, and for one reason: no stinking presents.
Now before you start crying "scrooge" let me explain a bit. My family, this year, decided not to exchange gifts. This is has been a royal relief for me. Last year, there were many gifts exchanged and there was a lot of happiness, but honestly it the gift giving tradition is starting to be one that I can do without. This year, the big trip to the Phillipines counts as Christmas for everyone. No presents needed.
First, let's face it: it really is a secular tradition. There are plenty of secular traditions that are great. I don't object to them. However, Christmas has gotten so over-commercialized that you have to dig baby Jesus out from under all the frankincense and myrrh we're burying him in. Instead of spending some contemplating the incarnation and thinking about what it means for the prince of peace to come to earth, we're busy racking up our credit cards to prove that we love our family. No thanks.
Secondly, I am very much okay with not receiving gifts from my family this year. Last year, I was generously given a huge stack of books from my parents, but I haven't even read them all yet. In an entire year! I do not want my family to feel like they have to give me more things that I don't really need to stay connected to me. The thoughtfulness of things like phone calls and Christmas cards is enough.
Now, I know many people love giving gifts. I do too. What I don't like is the sense of obligation that Christmas brings to it. Shopping is a stressful chore. The constant marketing makes me ill.
Isn't there a better way to celebrate Advent and Christmas?
