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In the spirit of the Advent Conspiracy (see below), I have a few stats to give you as things to think about.
- Americans spend $17 Billion a year on MAKEUP
- Another $15 Billion is s pent in America on PERFUME
*** We spend $32 Billion dollars a year to be pretty and smell good. Hmmm.
1970 vs. 2000
1. In 1970, 20% of people felt a second car was important. By 2000, 59% felt it was important.
2. In 1970, 3% of people thought it was important to have a second TV. 2000 - 45%.
3. In 1970, 2% of people thought it was important to have more than 1 phone. 2000 - 78%.
4. In 1970, 11% of people thought car AC was important. 2000 - 65%.
5. In 1970, 8% felt dishwasher's were important. 2000 - 44%.
In today's world, our needs seem to be based not on actual need, but by what our neighbor has. We NEED what our neighbor has. Something my pastor said today was "we sell what nobody needs and need what nobody sells."
And think about this. This made so much sense to me when I let it set in. Each year we look at our Christmas trees and we see what's under the tree. Our families can look under our trees and tell from what's under it if we had a good year or a bad year. Christmas has, in a way, become about how much we made during the year. If we earned a lot of money this year and there are lots of presents under the tree, then it's a good year and a good Christmas. If we lost a job or suffered an illness and very few if any presents reside under our tree, then its a bad year and a bad Christmas. We base our years and our Christmas's on how much money we've earned and then we do it in Christ's name.
We don't really need what's under there, do we? What we need cannot be found under the Christmas tree. What we need can be found in the meaning of Christmas. What we need is found in the savior who came to us on this night so that we could be set free. Jesus was not born so we could live as slaves; in bondage to mounting debt. Jesus died for us so that we could be free. This isn't going to be a season for more, more, more. It's going to be a season for so much more!
Spend Less money and gain so much more. Find the meaning of Christmas in you. Start a new tradition in your family. Make Christmas about something besides what is under the tree. Remember, even Jesus only got three presents at Christmas. Give PRESENCE, not presents. If you ask, I bet those on your list would much rather have time with you than money from you.
9 comments:
Thanks for sharing these statistics. Incase people are desensitized and have not noticed the changes toward a materialistic society, stats should give them a clue.
I'm going to add myself as a follower. However, I would like to ask if you would like to exchange hosting a link to each of our blogs. Your link on my blog and mine on yours? I network with some pretty involved bloggers. If you are interested, let me know and I will make it known you are a new member of our network.
Thanks,
Jim of Journaling For Growth - My main blog And Love One Another - seven chapter manuscript explaining the core message of the Bible
WOW!! I NEEDED TO READ THAT..MY HUSBAND AND I DONT GET ALOT OF GIFTS FOR EACH OTHER AT CHRISTMAS...BUT WE DO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES!! THAT WAS NEAT..IM EMAILING IT TO EVERYONE!! THANKS
Jim -
Welcome. I'm glad you stopped by. I couldn't agree with you more on the materialism of our society. We really need to ask ourselves before we buy something, why it is we're buying it and if we're simply buying it because we want to, we should at least acknowledge that it is just that, a want. I don't think there is anything wrong with getting or giving presents, but they shouldn't take place of the things that really matter.
Tanya - My husband and I are the same way. We really try and keep it simple. I do have a little tradition for him that I've been doing since our very first Christmas. I'm not sure if he's noticed or not, but every year I buy him a simple yet personal Christmas card just from me that he opens on Christmas morning. I think the biggest gifts come in small packages anyways.
Woman on a mission (WOAM)
Tomorrow is my birthday. My wife loves birthdays. She acknowledges them as 1/2 year birthdays as well as annual.
Anyway, I went to church today and the greeter said, "Happy Birthday". I was a little surprised that she new. She asked, "Do you have special birthday plans?" My response sounded odd to her. I told her, I don't really acknowledge my birthday.
My wife always tries to do something for me. But, I just look at it as another day.
Also, Christmas in America used to be illegal. I think it was in Massachusetts. Definately New England area. I will probably do a blog on it. I'm all for celebrating the birth of our Lord, btw.
Thanks for adding yourself as a follower of my blog. There is a method and motive for having ones blog link hosted by another blogger. That is why I was wanting to know if you would exchange the hosting of a link. If you have an email on your blog, I'll email my reasoning. It is a blogging secret to driving the viewing opportunities up. Since I use my blog as a ministry, I need help getting exposure.
Jim
Wow. That was really an eye-opener. It's nice to read something that really matters and is full of sense. Thanks again and by the way, Merry Christmas to you. I bet you'll have a really happy Christmas. :)
Wow... what a powerful post! Thanks for the wonderful reminder of what Christmas is really all about.
Excellent words today, especially about our focus on Christmas . . . and the stats are revealing. I wonder what the response would be to the following question in 1970 and today: I am satisfied with my quality of life - true or false?
I've long felt that since the 1950's, American society has been "afflicted by adundance", resulting in mini-idols for all to worship.
Wow, you have made some great, valid points. I look forward to a season that is spent with my family and friends, not with material things.
Thanks for stopping by my blog~
Wow! I will say wow again! Thank you so much for sharing this! We are such materialistic people and I hate it! I try so hard not to be this way and it's hard because it's what society and the media want from us. Thank you for sharing this!
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