How about something a little different this holidays?
As we head into, what's now been hijacked to become, the "silly season" perhaps its time for something a little different this year...
Instead of all the tinsel and trappings, frustration and fuss, merchandising and madness, lets remember what this season is really meant to be about...
Commemorating the birth of the Light of the World....
So let's do our little bit to Light the World
Today I was introduced to this social media initiative to invite us to...
Serve others in 25 ways over 25 days
...leading up to December 25th.
Beginning on December 1st there are a couple of suggested ways we can emulate one specific example from the Saviours life, for that day, by serving those around us.
Here are the first 3 shorts as a teaser.
It looks like a cool initiative...
Anybody up for the challenge?
I'm going to try it out, although I know I will miss a couple of days as I will be out of touch with civilization and connectivity.
People have lost the central message of Christmas. I'm not religious but even I find the increasing commercialism a bit disheartening and depressing. Whether you believe in religion or even the existence of Jesus or not the stories teach us a lesson about helping and looking out for others something which is easy to forget about in modern life.
Agreed, whether people are religious or not, it is a season of increased goodwill and marketeers have jumped on the bandwagon to siphon as much of that into their own pockets as possible and it gets worse every year...
Yes for sure. It also seems to start earlier and earlier each year. I think I first saw signs of the marketing in August! There used to be an unwritten rule that we would be spared it until at least after Halloween. I suspect eventually the marketing for the next Christmas will start on December 26th!
This post has been ranked within the top 10 most undervalued posts in the second half of Nov 27. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $23.45 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Nov 27 - Part II. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
I was at our local mall yesterday buying a birthday gift. I honestly felt oppressed in a way. There is just TOO MUCH STUFF and too many people trying to buy too much stuff. And the Christmas season has begun. Songs. Carols. Sales. Kitchy sweaters and STUFF. Did I say STUFF???
What a fabulous way to practice thinking about others on a daily basis. I know I have forgotten too many times.
This video broke my heart....that's a good thing.
Thanks for sharing this idea....when I saw Jesus helping someone up and then the picture faded to someone helping another up it took my breath away for a moment. I got it.
Yup, the marketeers have data-science telling them that when people hear carols etc. they have fond memories etc. and are likely to spend more....
Oppression is a good way to describe it if you don't fall for the marketing tricks.
I always say, next year....that I will make gifts, or regift, or no gifts - just do something different. But the problem with that is it takes the whole family to be in agreement. I don't enjoy the after glow of guilt in the new year at all. I suppose I can start with me. Let's see how this goes.
Great post!
We backed off the commercialized Xmas years ago and started to focus on Jesus during this season. The boys were young then, so it wasn't a big deal for them. They understood. After a while, family stopped sending the big gifts too. We didn't really care either way so much as we let everyone know that they'd just be getting some little gift that focused on Jesus for Christmas... usually a book/let of some sort. It sure took the stress out of the season and helped us to focus.
Im not a big Jesus guy.., but the bastardization of this holiday and it's true meaning, really bothers me. I'll be handing out some warm winter coats I don't use anymore (I just need one) to the homeless in my neighborhood.., but Im sure there is more I can do... Thanks for this post -- resteemd!
So... the idea of this initiative is to be kind to others? Count me and my family in!!!! Whoever came up with the action steps is brilliant. They are so simple that you can easily carry them out. Donating a pair of old glasses? It will take me 10 minutes. Write a note to my mom? She will love it! Shoveling my elderly neighbor's snow. Check!
great idea!!