Commonwealth Policy Center

According to a recent Gallup survey, Americans plan to spend an average of $942 on Christmas presents. It’s shaping up to be a record year for retailers but often the pressure to give the perfect gift leaves shoppers frazzled. It’s funny how holiday marketers have convinced us that in order to be truly happy, you’ve gotta have this gift and to win others’ approval you’ve gotta give that gift. Such expectations aren’t what the season’s about. Or at least, it shouldn’t be.  Gift-giving is a fun part of the Christmas tradition, but when gifts are all consuming, they crowd out the holiday’s spiritual significance which centers around the incarnation of God breaking into history in order to save people from their sins. The gift of Jesus Christ is good news and the best gift we could receive this Christmas.