ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠAbout this time last year, a parent shared with me an article that juxtaposed the over-the-top nature of holiday gift giving in contemporary America with the story of a South African boy who was born into utter poverty, infected by the AIDS virus. On the one hand, the article told of an overheard suburban mall conversation between a young girl and her mother, the one reciting her endless Christmas wish list and the other reassuring her daughter that yes, she would likely get most of the things. On the other hand, the article told the story of Nkosi Johnson, his brief life, his sage-like wisdom, and his painful, iconic death. Craig Wilson's USA Today piece contained these words: “I thought about how most of us have more than we need and how Christmas only seems to exaggerate the situation. You have only to wander the stores to see how much useless stuff there is out there.” And the same piece contained these words: “Nkosi's mantra was quite simple - ’ Do all you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are.'”
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠAll of this resonated with another article I recently read in which Wall Street Journal writer Lionel Tiger stated that “Gift giving, once a thoughtful and occasional episode in people's lives, has morphed into a tyranny.”
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠWhat are the real messages of the season we want our children to sense? What do the shape and pace of our holiday celebrations teach? How, in a highly acquisitive, materialistic, on-to-the-latest-best-thing culture, can we convey what's truly important?
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠIt's a challenge to achieve a balance between the stuff of the season and any kind of deeper meaning. Yet parents give their children an important gift when they approach it all mindfully, seek a balance, and remain determined to convey perspective.
ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠMy best wishes to each of you for a wonderful holiday season.