32. What is more important: presence or presents?

Presents – Buying Presents, Wrapping Presents, Shipping Presents, Organizing Presents, Making sure we have equalish presents….

I think that a lot of the holiday activities are really just a distraction from the real meaning of Christmas.  You can tell I am in the thick of the presents aspect of holiday activities.

Todays podcast episode I dig a little deeper on this topic.

Listen Here

Each year I say I will simplify our presents.  I wish I had started out with the 4 presents – something to read, something to wear, something they need and something they want.

What tends to happen is I do simplify, but then my husband is worried they aren’t getting enough.  It can be a challenge, especially as I am the one who is buying the gifts and I hate last minute shopping. 

2020 I think we have shifted, but there still is this focus on presents, but I really want my focus to be on presence. 

Most presents we give are possessions.  That isn’t the present that we are celebrating.

We are celebrating the present that God shared with us, Jesus!   “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on Him shall have everlasting life and never perish.”

Why do I spend so much time consumed with presents when what really matters is presence?  Being present with God in prayer.  Being present with my family when we are together….

Pray today and ask, what distractions can I clear from my life so I can be more present with those around me?

“A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

—Luke 12:15

I think I will choose to do a social media fast this week and try to leave my phone plugged in throughout most of the day, so I can be present with my family.