Yesterday was my first day of Christmas shopping. I visited Hobby Lobby in hopes of finding some crafts I could make instead of investing in high buck gifts this year. I remembered how I used to make beautifully decorated ornaments out of styrofoam balls, and always well received. My craft stash was liquidated when we downsized, so the craft store was my first destination. I was surprised to see all the people with the same idea I had. Many young women were searching the shelves for things they could turn into Christmas treasures with a smaller price tag. At the same time, their children were glued to their phones.

Isn’t it weird how commercial Christmas has become? I guess it was the same way when I was a kid. The first thing we thought about was what we would get for Christmas. We’d make our list and hope our dreams would come true. When we started our own family, gifts were mostly homemade at the beginning. The first thing created was a rocking horse, crafted by Paul. It was absolutely beautiful and even though our firstborn was suffering from a bad cold, she got up on that horse and rocked for hours. It helps to have a master artist living in your house. I would make cookies to give away, homemade ornaments, and home sewn Christmas outfits for our kids to wear. When they were grown up and our business was lost, we gave secondhand gifts. I remember those gifts and I think our kids do too. It doesn’t really matter what the price is. What matters is the gift itself and the time, talent and love that goes into it.

This may seem cliche’, but Christmas isn’t about the gifts we give or receive. It’s about the greatest gift ever given. On that first Christmas, we were the recipients of a Savior who lived and died for us. He would then rise from death and return to His throne in heaven to prepare a place for us. The Advent season will soon be upon us. Let’s take time to look at the real reason we celebrate this blessed holiday and focus on the love that was poured out upon each human soul. The credit cards don’t need to take a hit. The household budget doesn’t have to suffer. Think about the gift that was given on that special birthday. The gift of unconditional love – which doesn’t cost a cent.