Mixing the Sacred Christmas Holiday with Secular Traditions

December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

A Fresh Approach to Christmas Giving through the Three Gifts

As Christmas fast approaches, your thoughts are probably turning to stocking up the pantry for holiday meals, scouting out the sales for your Christmas list and, most importantly, preparing to spend time with the ones you love the most. Christian parents in particular are thinking of ways to rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas by celebrating the birth of Christ with their children.

Some Christians take part in various holiday season traditions – setting up nativity scenes, watching re-enactments of the night the Savior was born or baking a birthday cake for Jesus – as a reminder about the true celebration of Christmas. Parents sometimes feel torn or frustrated with the gift lists and the secular emphasis on children to make Santa’s “nice list” in order to receive their favorite gift.

While trying to mix the sacred holiday with secular traditions, one Raleigh, N.C. family has found a way that works well for them. The Tillers discovered the art of limiting Christmas giving by going back to biblical text found in Matthew 2:11:  “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” 

In this text, three gifts were given by the Magi to Jesus – gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Tiller family uses the three gifts as symbols when giving to each of their children: one to represent gold, one to represent frankincense and one to represent myrrh.

Jim and Sharon, his wife of 17 years, have eight- and ten-year-old-sons whose birthdays fall in November and December. Between birthday gifts and Christmas presents, gift excess was becoming an issue. They decided they wanted something different for a Christmas experience and wanted to set new traditions.

“At a young age, they were getting too much,” Jim explained. “We wanted to focus on Christmas as the time of celebrating Jesus’ birth rather than gifts focusing on the children.”

Three gifts were given by the Magi to Jesus – gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Tiller family uses the three gifts as symbols when giving to each of their children: one to represent gold, one to represent frankincense and one to represent myrrh.

Three gifts were given by the Magi to Jesus – gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Tiller family uses the three gifts as symbols when giving to each of their children: one to represent gold, one to represent frankincense and one to represent myrrh.

The Gift of Gold

The gift of gold focuses on the principle of great value and worth. When the Wise Men presented gold to Jesus, it was a gift fit only for a King and held in great value – especially during that time. Parents can explain to their children the significance of this gift as a sacrifice, just as Jesus’ life was of great worth — ultimately costing His very own life for the sake of our souls.

With this gift, the Tiller family gives the largest and most expensive gift to each of their sons. Examples might include a basketball goal, a new bicycle or a video game. The Tillers also wrap the gifts with gold paper to reemphasize the meaning.  

The Gift of Frankincense

The gift of frankincense focuses on the inward being and spiritual growth. It is known for its healing power, curing everything from infections to headaches. In present times, it can act as an antiseptic or anti-inflammatory for medicinal purposes. Through the symbolism of the cleansing and purification to meet with Jesus, this gift relates to how Christians meet and grow closer with God.

The Tillers have given Bibles, worship CDs, and devotional books as past gifts. This gift can be wrapped with white paper as a reminder of the sacred white incense that Jesus received from the Wise Men.

The Gift of Myrrh

The gift of myrrh symbolizes the outward and aesthetic anointment to cleanse our bodies. Myrrh was used in historic times as a scent in oils, perfumes and embalming liquids. In present times, it still acts as a rich aroma in lotions, soaps and oils. Myrrh was used to anoint Jesus as part of his burial preparation, reminding people how He ultimately had to die for the world’s own purification and cleansing.

This gift is a great reminder to children that ultimately Jesus was sent to die for our sins even though He came to earth as a baby. The Tillers remind their boys about the sacrifice Christ made in order to restore right relationship with God and provide eternal life for us. Some gift ideas include body wash, hair products, towels and combs to represent the gift of myrrh. Wrap this gift in earth-toned paper to symbolize the dark color of this spice. 

The Ultimate Gift

The Tillers found great success in implementing this giving strategy during the Christmas season with their children. By focusing on the ultimate gift of the birth of Christ coming to save us from our sins, the Christmas season no longer centers on the selfish desires to gain all the gifts on a wish list.

“The best reason to do this is because it centers Christmas on the birth of Christ and takes what has now become a secular holiday back to a religious holiday,” Tiller said. “Many families have joined us in this giving concept and we hope that this will be passed along to future generations.”

For more information and tips on giving, contact the National Christian Foundation of Raleigh, e-mail the Raleigh office at raleigh@nationalchristian.com.

Article adapted and used with permission by the National Christian Foundation of Raleigh. 

Filed Under: Culture, Testimonial, Traditional Family Tagged With: , , , ,

Appreciating faith-driven companies like Chick-fil-A: Not just today but everyday

August 1, 2012 by 2 Comments

Faith Driven Consumer Lisa Marks Todd shares her experience on August 1st at Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day

Like hundreds of thousands of people across America, I went to Chick-fil-A today to show my appreciation for a business that shares many of my values and to stand up for my First Amendment right to freedom of religion and expression without governmental interference.

When I arrived at 10:45 a.m. in the pouring rain of North Carolina, I found hundreds of others with smiling faces enjoying a tasty chicken meal with exceptional levels of customer service.

More than 640,000 consumers showed up to support Chick-fil-A on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on August 1, 2012 all across the nation.

Here, I had two significant realizations during my visit:

First, I need to support businesses that share my values every day – and not just Chick-fil-A on August 1, 2012. I believe this is part of the call to be a good steward of my resources. As the number of businesses that share my values – and are willing to stand up for them – seems to dwindle, I need to faithfully support those businesses that do. This is true for eating out, back-to-school and Christmas shopping and everyday purchases – even if it means I drive a little further or do not shop at my favorite stores.

Second, I spent more than an hour in Chick-fil-A today, not waiting in line, but talking to other customers. Yes, I talked to total strangers in a fast food restaurant! And it was a genuinely enjoyable experience. There was a real sense of caring and fellowship with people smiling, sharing tables, helping others, having conversations and finding things they have in common. People were truly kind and loving toward strangers.

And then it hit me; this is the way we are supposed to live! As a Christian, I am commanded to love my neighbor as myself. This means not just the other Christians who are at Chick-fil-A today, but those who hold to differing worldviews and belief systems – including, and perhaps especially, the gay and lesbian activists and their allies who plan to protest at Chick-fil-A on Friday.

Given this, I believe we as Christians and Faith Driven Consumers need to be at Chick-fil-A again on Friday to not only show our support for Chick-fil-A but, more importantly, to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who mistakenly think we hate them. As Christians we are called to love our neighbors, so let’s be more proactive in how we show it.

I encourage all Christians who are Faith Driven Consumers to patronize Chick-fil-A again on Friday and demonstrate the warmth, kindness, and caring we experienced today – looking for what we have in common with those who disagree with our biblical values and loving them where they are.

Thank you, Dan Cathy, for speaking up about what you believe and helping me to examine what I believe and how I live that out.

-Lisa Marks Todd

Montage video of other Faith Driven Consumer supporting Chick-fil-A:

Filed Under: Company Reviews, Culture, Feature, Testimonial, Traditional Family Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Target takes sides in the culture war again with line of gay pride-themed t-shirts

June 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Retailer donates sales proceeds to marriage redefinition group

In today’s budget-conscious economic environment, many consumers go to big-box retailers like Target and Wal-Mart to find the best deals and lower prices.

However, in attempting to stay within their budgets, many faith-driven Christians unwittingly support companies that contribute directly to causes that are diametrically opposed to their faith and core beliefs on important cultural issues like marriage, sexuality and the family.

From Target's website

Most recently, Target released a line of t-shirts that support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) “Pride Month.”

June is the annual politically charged celebration of the LGBT community that commemorates the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969. Specifically, Target stated on its website, “For each PRIDE item sold, Target will donate 100% of the purchase price to Family Equality Council.”

These donations by Target to the Family Equality Council — up to $120,000 — have drawn the attention of many Christian and pro-family organizations because of the group’s stated goals to “[change] attitudes and policies to ensure all families are celebrated— especially families with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.”

Clearly, Target’s public endorsement of the Family Equality Council helps further the goals of the LGBT community for same-sex “marriage” laws, which ultimately promote a radical redefinition of the natural, traditional and biblical understanding of marriage as one man and one woman.

In response, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, asked Christians to contact Target about this public endorsement of the LGBT political agenda:

“The company said it wanted to ‘resonate beyond fashion.’ But if they’re looking to resonate with Americans, they ought to try defending marriage. According to voters, the country’s still very opposed to redefining it. Let Target know that its agenda isn’t your style. Log on to target.com, scroll down, and click ‘Contact Us.’”

Similarly, the American Family Association is asking its members to contact Target and “let them know that as long as the retailer donates cash to promote something in which they do not believe, they will shop elsewhere.”

As a Faith Driven Consumer, how can you most effectively navigate the inevitable tension? How do you stand for what you believe in the marketplace while simultaneously taking a stand against corporations that support activist political organizations which actively seek to undermine your faith, values, and ultimately, religious freedom?

While choosing to boycott a retailer like Target may be a level of engagement you are comfortable with, consider also the option to “shop elsewhere” – or “buycott” – a competing brand which has chosen to remain neutral in culturally divisive issues, such as the promotion of the LGBT political agenda.

Though a faith-compatible brand alternative in a given retail sector is not always an option, in the case of Target, there is a company that’s doing things better from a Faith Driven Consumer perspective — Wal-Mart.

The Faith Driven Consumer website, offers insight into which companies are operating in more faith-friendly ways. Within the ‘Company Reviews’ section, Wal-Mart scores higher than Target in the “Big Box Retailers” category – with 3.5 stars on a 5-star scale, compared to 1.5 stars for Target. This means that Wal-Mart is more compatible with a biblical worldview whereas Target is significantly less compatible with a biblical worldview.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we have an obligation to steward our daily resources and activities in ways that glorify God. And we have the ability to make informed choices about purchasing decisions from retailers that most closely support our values or at a minimum remain neutral in morally and culturally divisive issues.

Whether we choose to boycott Target or “buycott” from Wal-Mart, take every opportunity to educate and equip yourself with helpful knowledge about these companies to make the decision that best aligns with your faith and value system.

In doing so, you’ll not only feel good about your choices and make your voice heard; you’ll also honor God in the process.

Filed Under: Company Reviews, Culture, Philanthropy, Traditional Family Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Definition of marriage up for a vote in North Carolina

May 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

On May 8, 2012, North Carolina voters will go to the polls to vote on North Carolina Senate Bill 514—also known as Amendment One.

For Faith Driven Consumers who seek, on a daily basis, to honor God and His revealed Word in all that they say and do– including voting – it is important to consider the full impact of what a vote in favor or against Amendment One actually does.

The purpose of the bill is to “amend the state constitution to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that should be valid or recognized in this state.” This amendment would prevent same-sex marriages, civil unions and other forms of domestic partnerships from being recognized by the state of North Carolina.

The proponents of this bill have made clear that its purpose is to protect the families of North Carolina. According to VoteForMarriageNC.com, the bill will protect families by doing the following:

  • “Protecting the interests of children is the primary reason that government regulates and licenses marriage in the first instance.”
  • “Marriage is a special relationship reserved exclusively for heterosexual unions, because only the intimate relationship between men and women has the ability to produce children as a result of that sexual union.”
  • “By encouraging men and women to marry, society helps ensure that children will be known by and cared for by their biological parents.”

Opponents of the bill suggest that the bill could do the following:

  • Harm North Carolina’s children” because parents in unmarried relationships may not be able to provide health care benefits to their children.
  • Have “negative effects on NC seniors” who are living with a partner but remain unmarried.
  • Have “dangerous consequences for NC women” because it “threatens domestic violence protections for unmarried women.”

While opponents of the bill believe that it could have negative effects on the people of North Carolina, proponents have done their research and refuted the opposition’s claims – recently running an ad to rebut the claims. Specifically, VoteForMarriageNC.com cites a “report from independent legal experts at Campbell University Law School, proving that this Amendment does not disrupt protection for all qualified citizens under our domestic violence laws, and nobody will lose health insurance benefits.”

While it’s easy to be swayed by emotional and heated rhetoric from both sides on a topic as culturally divisive as homosexual rights in society, Jesus clearly affirms the male-female paradigm for the ordering of human relationships in Mark 10:6-9 where he says, “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’  ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

While some argue that the essence of marriage as an institution is to unite two people who are in love, Scripture supports that which natural law and tradition in virtually every culture across time and place has affirmed:  marriage is the bringing together of the two halves of humanity – male and female – in a societally recognized union that creates the safest and most stable arrangement for raising the next generation.

As such, marriage is not – nor has it ever been – primarily about adult wishes. Instead, from a social policy perspective, its role is focused on what’s best for children.  And here, social science research affirms that children have a deep longing for both a mother and a father, and that they do best on virtually every social indicator when raised by their biological parents in a stable, low-stress marriage.

Government has a vested interest in defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman in order to ensure the best possible context for the children that can potentially come from the sexual union of male and female.   In contrast, governmentally recognized unions involving same-sex couples signal that male and female no longer matter, that one sex or the other is dispensable and that children do not deserve both a mother and a father.

If you are registered to vote in North Carolina, learn the facts about Amendment One and vote your values on Tuesday, May 8th.

Filed Under: Culture, Politics, Traditional Family Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Kirk Cameron answers questions regarding same-sex marriage

March 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

By Adaline Haseltine

After an appearance on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” former “Growing Pains” star, Kirk Cameron, finds himself the brunt of attacks for his answers to questions about same-sex marriage.

Cameron stated on the show that he believes “marriage equality [is] ‘detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.’ He continued, ‘Marriage is almost as old as dirt, and it was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve, so I would never try to redefine marriage. And I don’t think anyone else should either,’ Cameron said. ‘So do I support the idea of gay marriage? No I don’t.”’

His remarks on the show have received backlash from The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). The Senior Director of programs at GLAAD said, “In this interview Kirk Cameron sounds even more dated than his 1980s TV character.”

Other actors and actresses have spoken out as well. Celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton, said in his blog, “It’s clear that despite his attempt to soften his opinions with some serious politician-esque dodging of questions, all he’s taken from his religion is outdated bigotry and hatred for those who are different.”

Former star of “The Nanny,” Fran Drescher, said Cameron needs to “rethink what it means to be an American,” and that “he is confusing our country, which is a country that separates church from state, with a religious dictatorship.”

Cameron has responded to the criticisms on his Facebook Page by saying, “In some people’s eyes, my responses were not sufficiently “loving” toward those in the gay community. I can only say that it is my life’s mission to love all people, and that I expressed the same views that are expressed clearly and emphatically throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures. As a Bible believing Christian, I could not have answered any other way.”

Faith Driven Consumer wants to know if you stand up for your faith in the face of controversy.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we need to live boldly in our faith, even if it puts us in the middle of a moral debate. We can live and walk in our faith every day by supporting companies that are more closely aligned with our worldview, watching wholesome television shows, and being a good steward at work.

Kirk Cameron’s interview with Piers Morgan:

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