"For unto us a Child was born, unto us a Son is given.." Isaiah 9:6
After all these years of celebrating Christmas...there is one particular Christmas that stands out..above the rest. It was during the recession of 1991. My husband was in construction and times were very tough, a lot like today.
With our two youngest still at home...we had to let them know that this Christmas was going to be different than what they were use to. We sat them down and told them we didn't have any money to buy gifts. And we couldn't afford to buy a Christmas tree either. We had to use what little money we had to buy food....we were eating oatmeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rick and I weren't too worried about how our Joshua would handle it, he was barely four years old. But how would our twelve-year old Adam take it....since had has seen so many Christmas' with plenty of gifts.
This time of financial struggle provided an opportunity for us to talk to our kids about God's faithfulness and what really matters in life. Instead of focusing on buying and receiving gifts...our eyes were on being thankful for what God had already given us...Jesus being the greatest gift of all.
It still brings me to tears to think of Adam's reaction. he said, "It doesn't matter, I don't need any toys, I already have lots. Then he stood and ran up the stairs. A few minutes later he came down with his piggy bank and handed it to Rick and I and said, "Mom, I want you to use my money to help buy food."
It was't one of those glass piggy banks, so we didn't have to hit it with a hammer or drop it on the floor to "break the bank"....nothing that dramatic. But the impression that his generosity made on our family...that was dramatic.
This is a Christmas we will never forget...Jesus and thankfulness was our focus. You would think this would have been our worst Christmas...but it turned out to be the "Best Christmas Ever!"
Rich in Him,
Sharon Schutte
