All I Want For Christmas Is. . .

From My Perspective - - -

A novelty song written in 1944 by Donald Gardner is: “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” While teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, NY he asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp. He penned the lyric during class with a simple melody and words of the verse and chorus:

Every body Pauses and stares at me
These two teeth are gone as you can see
I don't know just who to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth, see my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you "Merry Christmas."

That seems almost trite in the times in which we now live. Life has gotten very complex and the expectation of children and adults is for bigger and more expensive toys and things. While the Marketers look at the level of sales and how they compare with previous years, the prudent should be concerned with the level of debt and the bottom line cost involved in purchases made and the months of paying for the same.

A Financial Guru, Dave Ramsey shares that which made a difference in his life – after he had amassed a small fortune, only to have to declare bankruptcy – was Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Very interestingly, as one becomes indebted for the wants and needs of ones children, the verse that precedes it is – Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” How are we training the children in terms of financial responsibility and measuring costs, etc.?

The other part to this is the function of an item. A household recently looking for a new Crock Pot found the exact one wanted on EBay for the price of $70.00 plus $17.95 for Shipping and Insurance. The local Wal-Mart had an assortment of Crock Pots. One was on a sale price of $17.00 plus 9 percent sales Tax. The shipping price alone on EBay was more than the sale price locally. While the EBay product was fancier – more bells and whistles – the function of both Crock Pots is the same. It is a case of living within ones means and being frugal rather than lavish. In turn, it leaves an amount that can be shared with the needy who would appreciate some menial basics of life – food, clothing, warmth, compassion.

Dave Ramsey has an interesting illustration regarding how one can become a millionaire. The average Car Payment in this country is $464.00 per month. He argues that if that amount was paid into a savings investment instrument for 40 years, the Balance at the end of 40 years would be 5.6 Million Dollars. It’s a case of Diligence, Discipline, and Priority. And – its always done with Proverbs 22:7 in mind: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Another part to this consideration is attached to a beautiful model – God’s Gift of His Son to the World. The Angel Choir sang is Luke 2:14 (ESV),

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

May each of you have a very Merry Christmas – especially as you celebrate the Reason for the Season – namely, The Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. He would welcome a gift from you – your life and commitment to Him and His Gospel. Consider these things with me!