debt
Holiday Mischief
My childhood holidays were magical times — with a few exceptions, of course. Like the Christmas that I sneaked into my visiting grandfather's bedroom, stole an entire box of chocolates, locked myself in the bathroom and ate both layers. I can still taste those chocolates. A few spankings were worth the pleasure of those creamy delights.
Though my parents had no manuals on creating great holidays, they seemed to know how. For one thing, they invested in others. Our turkey was always surrounded not only by our hungry family, but also by famished friends. To my parents, relationships were more important than a perfect meal or a tidy house.
They also limited TV time. We had great times watching classic movies, but we were encouraged to be outside. With little television we learned to ice skate, sing carols and come up with our own entertainment. Perhaps that's why my brother offered me a nickel one icy Christmas Eve. All I had to do was lick a metal doorknob. (Yes, I obliged).
We were taught to remember what Thanksgiving is about, and that it's not our own birthdays we celebrate at Christmas. One year, while drooling my way through the toy section of the Sears catalog, Mother reminded me that the gifts would be meager this year. She asked if I thought Jesus got much for His birthday. I had to think, but I said He got gold, frankincense and myrrh, which I thought might have been a plastic toy of some sort. She smiled. I showed her the gift I wanted: a yellow-handled bow with suction-cup arrows.
Not everything about our family Christmases was magical. Christmas morning, my parents made us eat breakfast, then do the dishes. And sweep the floors. And vacuum the carpets. And memorize the gospel of Luke. Then Dad prayed for the troops in Vietnam and Korea and Russia and for missionaries in countries I couldn't pronounce.
At last the time for opening presents came. Soon, I held in my lap a Tonka truck, black socks, a shirt with pins in it, and a cowboy poster that read "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
With only one present left beneath the tree, disappointment started to set in. My sister grinned and picked up the last shiny gift. I knew it was hers because I'd checked the nametag. Then the most unexpected thing happened: She handed it to me. "Open it," she said. "It's yours. Tim put my name on it to fool you."
Mom wanted me to save the wrapping paper for next year, but it was too late. I whooped and danced around the room, holding the bow and arrows high.
I remember only a handful of gifts from my childhood, but that one caused me to realize that Christmas is all about grace — a gift I don't deserve that comes along when I least expect it. More important than any tradition, grace should be the theme of our holidays.
I recall tiptoeing after my brother that afternoon. I locked an arrow in place, took careful aim and pulled the string.
"Hey, Tim!" I yelled. "Merry Christmas!"
Background Information
The Road to Debt
Learn to guard against the four common causes of debt.
Save or Swim
Danger: Thin Ice. Most people wouldn't risk their physical safety. So why do we ignore the signs of a financial catastrophe?
Drowning in Debt
If you can't seem to catch your financial breath, you're not alone. Sadly, millions of Americans are credit card captives.
Questions and Answers
What is the biblical approach to possessions and money?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
Prosperity and Pain
Finding blessings in the midst of incredible financial trials.
Credit—Not So Priceless
Every month, we spent more than we made and our balances ballooned. But it didn't stop us from purchasing a new living room set. Who could resist? Little did we know: we were digging a financial grave.
Living in Secret Debt
There's a high price to pay for acquiring debt.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Even Though We Ain't Got Money…
That phrase – live on love – kept bringing to mind a song they played on the radio when I was a kid. I scoffed at its utter lack of common sense.
Learning to Roll With Change
It's not the most fun you'll ever have, but the results are worth it.
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