What would Jesus buy?

[DarkProphet]

I'll be honest, I don't like Christmas, not because of the Christian connection (there is none really) but because of the mindless consumerism that it turns people to.

Here's a link to a clip of a documentary about a group that addresses that issue.

What would Jesus buy?

This brings up two questions though, what would Jesus think about a holiday that is supposedly connected to him turned into such a gluttonous affair? Especially when you consider his attitude at the temple.

The second is how would Jesus live his life if he lived now? This is not an ideal question because there are those that try to justify their own lives through this question.

 

[ephraimanesti]

This brings up two questions though, what would Jesus think about a holiday that is supposedly connected to him turned into such a gluttonous affair? Especially when you consider his attitude at the temple.

MY FRIEND,

i think He would be deeply saddened that so many have missed the point. However, there are quite a few of His true followers who "remember the reason for the season," and i am sure that He would still consider that His birth and time spent here on earth was not wasted in the least. As Scripture states, "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar." (Romans 3:4a)

The second is how would Jesus live his life if he lived now? This is not an ideal question because there are those that try to justify their own lives through this question.

Why should anything be different now from what it was then? His mission would be the same.

GOD'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[Spirit_Star]

I am sure he would not be happy that for many people they don’t realize or celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Christ is the reason for the season but there are many people of all faiths and non-faiths that celebrate Christmas. I have a friend she is a Christian but her family is Buddhist and they celebrate Christmas, this friend only became a Christian in 2007 much to the disdain of her family they have celebrated Christmas as long as she can remember.

If Jesus lived today his message would still be the same there might be some slight differences maybe instead of a wood worker he would have been an electrician or plumber.

 

[ebia]

I'll be honest, I don't like Christmas, not because of the Christian connection (there is none really) but because of the mindless consumerism that it turns people to.

Here's a link to a clip of a documentary about a group that addresses that issue.

What would Jesus buy?

This brings up two questions though, what would Jesus think about a holiday that is supposedly connected to him turned into such a gluttonous affair? Especially when you consider his attitude at the temple.

The second is how would Jesus live his life if he lived now? This is not an ideal question because there are those that try to justify their own lives through this question.

I don't think he would be worried about having a good festival - he wasn't shy of a good celebratory party himself.

Of course he would be saddened by those who come to the party but missed what it's celebrating.

And of course he would be saddened by the way it tends to get out of control, with people running up debts they can't afford for presents that aren't really wanted.

In the end though, I think you'd find him down at the soup kitchen down by the railway arches at midnight turning that into a party, and (once they let him out of the police cell in the morning) in the refuge for mums who had run away from abusive husbands in the night, bringing festive hope and inclusion to them and their children. Or, he'd be celebrating it in a camp for displaced people in a city in Uganda, somehow making a tiny amount of food enough for a lavish feast. And, given what is going on in Uganda at the moment, nodoubt getting arrested for inviting the wrong people and not reporting them!

At the very least we can encourage people to get us one of those presents for someone that really needs something abroad (my 3 year old chose a donkey for my christmas present), and give the same as whatever we spend on the Christmas feast to an agency like Tearfund.

 

[talitha]

Your video made this missionary cry.

This is what Jesus would give.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgGu782dNX0

 

[ephraimanesti]

I'll be honest, I don't like Christmas, not because of the Christian connection (there is none really) but because of the mindless consumerism that it turns people to.

Here's a link to a clip of a documentary about a group that addresses that issue.

What would Jesus buy?
.

Thank you so much for the link! i think it should be required viewing for all Christians.

ephraim

 

[Sketcher]

Personally, I've found that buying and giving gifts for others chips away at my own selfishness.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Personally, I've found that buying and giving gifts for others chips away at my own selfishness.

Yes, it can--AND SHOULD--work this way! However, do you think it really does for the vast majority of the busy shoppers who throng the Malls during what should be the HolyDays?

It seems to me that most "gifts" are given out of a sense of duty and compulsion rather than out of a sense of Love.

ephraim

 

[Sketcher]

Yes, it can--AND SHOULD--work this way! However, do you think it really does for the vast majority of the busy shoppers who throng the Malls during what should be the HolyDays?

It seems to me that most "gifts" are given out of a sense of duty and compulsion rather than out of a sense of Love.

I can't say. We must continue to preach love and generosity in order to counteract the wrong mentality that a lot of these people have. Also remember though, that doing something out of duty can move you to doing it out of love.