How would Christ want us to spend $474.5 billion dollars in the name of Christmas this year?

Question

Would he want you to help the less fortunate or spend $400 on a new IPOD touch for your nephew that already has three.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071017/BUSINESS/710170359/1003/rss08

Answer 1

Giving it to those who are less fortunate of course. I know most people don't and i agree with you that many are too spoiled now a days. my sister is like that because the kids father is not in their lives she tries to compensate by spoiling them but I try to tell her that they have everything they already need. A good life with good family who loves them very much and that the spoiling them with gifts can only lead to know good. I give as much to my family as I do the less fortunate, I equal it out. that is my way of doing things but it may not be right for others.

Answer 2

I choose to buy gifts from product (RED), savedarfur.org and stjude.org. My family gets wonderful gifts and the money spent benefits wonderful charities. We also get names off the Salvation Army tree and buy gifts for Toys for Tots.
I think some of our best Christmas memories have been when we were shopping for a complete stranger. My daughter learned from an early age that she did not get as much as some of her friends because of the money spent on other children and she was fine with it.

Answer 3

I think the former. Jesus was pretty clear about care and concern for the poor as being a major priority for his followers. The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because he was poor; our gifts should be to help those who are poor as well - to recognize their kingly nature as children of God as much as the Magi recognized Jesus' kingly nature even in the poverty of the stable.

The most generous act I've witnessed was of a boy I taught years back in the 6th grade. He invited all his friends over for his birthday party, but he told everyone that if they are to come that instead of giving him gifts they should write a check to a poor village in Honduras in the amount of whatever they would have spent for his birthday present. He raised $250 dollars for this poor village by that one act.

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Answer 4

I don't think he wants us to spend a cent on Christmas, personally...He told us not to observe one day above another....as the Jews had to do under the law..we are under Grace...I think he would like it, if we spread that money out,,,,all year long....and help those who are in most need....like food, clothing and shelter....or medical expenses....get some poor person's teeth fixed for them..Pay their rent for 6 months...buy someone a washing machine that needs one....if you must spend it at Christmas.....let it do someone some good...

Answer 5

Thanks for reminding us that it isn't about ourselves and what we want. We are called to feed the hungry, and help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Jesus said, "Whoever does this for the least of these, My brethren does it for Me."
Let's think about that, and act on it this Chritsmas season. Just think about all the hungry people we could feed, if we used the money for that purpose instead! I, for one am planning on doing that this year. God Bless

Answer 6

I don't believe in Christ (I think he was made up, based on a real person - like Santa Claus) but I would like to have that money spent on the less fortunate.

Answer 7

I would rather spend my money on the less fortunate.

Answer 8

That is a good exhortation to all of us to examine our materialism and whether or not that is God-honoring.

Thanks for the reminder.

Below is a way that some churches are fighting this fight!

Answer 9

Christ? Christmas?

I do know winter solstice is right around the corner I can not wait for my winter solstice gifts.

Answer 10

I must be missing something. What use would the less fortunate have for a new iPOD.......? ;)