Are We Chasing Stuff or Gratitude This Holiday Season?

The holiday season is filled with lights, decorations, and excitement, but it’s also easy to feel the pressure to buy more, spend more, and chase after the next “must-have” item. While gift-giving is a wonderful tradition, we can sometimes lose sight of the real purpose behind it—gratitude and love.

The Tension Between More Stuff and More Gratitude

During a time meant for joy and reflection, consumerism pulls us in the opposite direction, making us feel like we don’t have enough. But as people of faith, we’re invited to push back on this message. Instead of focusing on what we can get, let’s embrace a mindset of gratitude, recognizing the blessings we already have and the opportunities to share them with others.

Contentment as an Act of Faith

Scripture reminds us that true joy isn’t found in material things. This holiday season, we can honor our faith by practicing contentment and gratitude, focusing on meaningful relationships and the blessings God has given us.

Ask Yourself:

• How can I focus on giving relationally this season, offering my time, attention, or encouragement instead of material gifts?

• In what areas of my life am I feeling the pressure to "have more," and how can I shift my focus towards gratitude for what I already have?

• How can I intentionally incorporate acts of generosity and service into my holiday traditions to reflect my faith and values?

Call to Action:

• Put Together Care Packages as a Family: Get your family involved by creating care packages for people in need. You can include items like warm socks, snacks, toiletries, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Then, spend time together delivering them to a local shelter or directly to people in your community. It’s a heartfelt way to teach kindness and make a difference together.

• Start a "Family Giving Jar": Set up a jar in your home where everyone can drop in loose change or a few dollars over the season. As the jar fills up, gather the family to decide where to donate it—whether it's to help a struggling family, support a cause you care about, or buy groceries for someone in need. It’s a simple, meaningful way to make giving a part of your holiday tradition.

• For our Premium Subscribers, check out our “Holiday Gratitude and Generosity Guide”!

One Step at a Time.

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