To view the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gRAYdJGnvjA
SHOW NOTES
Welcome back to another week of the Hope Rescue Podcast! If this is your first time joining us, thanks for being here! This week we are talking all things Christmas because CHRISTMAS IS IN NINE DAYS! Are you ready? Today we are discussing how to have a more minimal, simple Christmas.
Before we get into the practical ways we can simplify Christmas this year, let’s focus on Jesus and what Christmas is really about. Jesus was born in a keeping-place for animals, and after He was delivered, Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger (Luke 2:7). A manger is a trough for horses or cattle to eat from. God’s own Son made His appearance on earth in the lowliest of circumstances. Jesus was born in meekness. The King of kings came humbly, and His first bed was a manger. Tim says, “Although Jesus is the King of Kings and Creator of the Earth, He lived a life of humility.” Tim quotes Philippians 2:5-11 which says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Today we will discuss some ways to take a minimalist approach to Christmas, but we are not saying to return all the gifts you have purchased and tell your kids Christmas is cancelled this year. Simply ask yourself, “How can we move closer to the simple message of Christmas?”
Keep in mind there is a difference between minimalism and frugalness. Minimalism is not for everyone, but frugalness is. Being frugal is equivalent to being careful not to waste money or resources. Tim says, “Christmas is not the time for extravagance or wasteful spending.” Often as parents, we want to give our children more than we received as kids. It’s easy to lose the simple message of Christmas when we take into consideration the temptation to be extravagant, our expectations based on our families of origin, and the pressure we receive from social media and comparison.
To focus on simplifying Christmas, we have to remember why we are celebrating in the first place. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus, who gave us the greatest example of what it means to be a truly humble servant.
Christmas can be a really tough time depending on your situation. Some people are in the trenches of divorce. Some may have recently just lost a job. Some may have had a recent death in the family. Some may be single adults or single parents. Christmas can be a really painful for some people or families. If you are a person going through a difficult time this holiday season, we encourage you to get involved with your church community. Attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services or find a way to connect with others in your community. And if you are not going through a difficult season right now, be a blessing to someone else. Even if you feel like you don’t have much to give, we probably all have something we can give to be a blessing to someone else. Remember those who are in the trenches right now. Invite your single friends over for Christmas festivities. Help a single mom financially if you are in a financial place to do so. Think of the people in your life you can be a blessing to this year.
Our final encouragement this week is to look for ways to invest in other people this Christmas. Whether it’s a single parent, a widow, someone who is ill, or a family that is struggling financially, find a way to bless others.
We hope you’ll join us next week as we continue talking about Christmas! We love you guys and thank you for your support!
QUOTES
“Although Jesus is the King of Kings and Creator of the Earth, He lived a life of humility. He was born among the animals, placed in a manger, and He lived a life of stark simplicity.” -Tim Scott
“Christmas is about giving yourself away and opening your heart to someone who needs it. Be a blessing to someone this Christmas.” -Kimberly Scott
“This Christmas, look for ways to invest in other people. Whether it’s a single parent, a widow, someone who is ill, or a family that is struggling financially, find a way to bless others.” -Tim Scott
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Philippians 2:5-11 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
