Christmas--tis the season to buy or give?

As I've been thinking more and more about Christmas, and living simply I had become very confused. How was I supposed to give gifts, that really do not mean anything, and yet still want to advocate for the poor? Wow, God has really answered my prayers. What if I just gave money to the poor and said, hey that was your gift, and I gave it to someone in need, because ya know, you kinda have everything anyways? ha. It truly is a conspiracy.

So, this is something that we really need to think about. There are plenty of organizations such as Advent Conspiracy, Gospel for Asia, World Vision, etc. where you can donate things such as water, blankets, Bibles, livestock, etc. Since I'm on a tight budget, Gospel for Asia has plenty of items that are low cost, that help India's Dalit families, aka "the untouchables." But, what if the church also gave at least 25% of their contributions on Christmas (or that Sunday before) to Advent Conspiracy (who is in partnership with Living Water) to help provide wells for people all over the globe? I challenge all of you to think about why we are buying each other gifts that we do not need, when we could give to those who have nothing. Because honestly, is consumerism really what Jesus is all about, or is it the giving of ourselves to others? I am constantly reminded of 1 John 3:17-18 which says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." How does God's love abide in you, if you do not give? What a powerful question for us today who have so much! So, really as the season approaches us (especially since Black Friday is coming), what will you give?If you want to check out ways you can give you can look at these different resources:

http://water.cc/
http://www.micahchallenge.us
www.adventconspiracy.org
www.worldvision.org
www.compassion.com
www.kiva.org
www.gfa.org