Getting Back to the Basics

With Christmas just around the corner, many parents are already buying their child’s presents, eagerly anticipating the child’s excitement when he or she unwraps the gifts on Christmas morning. In our day-and-age, it’s no surprise for even the youngest of children and the oldest of adults to receive an electronic toy or device or video game as a gift, whether for Christmas, a birthday, or a other special event. While technology (and all of the gadgets and gizmos) can be helpful and fun, they can also become a distraction. As adults, they can distract us from our responsibilities such as work and family. As parents, they can distract us from spending time with our children and leading them by example. As students, they can distract us from learning and pursuing knowledge. As children, they can distract us from homework and chores. As Christians, they can distract us from our relationship with God and fellowship with other believers.

This holiday season, as you buy your child’s gifts and even gifts for other people, challenge yourself to get back to the basics. Put aside the video games, the electronic devices, the computers, the cell phones, and mp3 players. Go for the things that can really bring a family together. Instead of giving technological gifts, give books that you can read and discuss together; give board games so that you can have a family game night every once in a while; give outdoor toys so that you can enjoy a weekend together, exploring God’s creation; give an art set and spend an afternoon creating something together.

Challenge yourself to choose gifts that draw people together and help them enjoy some quality time as a family and as friends.

There are so many possibilities that don’t even require batteries!