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“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
From A Child’s Perspective, Bobby, Age 7
Mom calls it the “get ready for Christmas clean-out.” We go through our closets and drawers – you know, pulling out clothes that don’t fit anymore. Then we look through the games and toys. Mom says if we don’t play with it, we should give it to boys and girls that don’t have as much. We box it all up and take it to our church.
There’s a man at church who knows all the kids that really need stuff.
At first, I didn’t like choosing things to give away. But now I don’t mind. I know that a clean and empty closet means more room for my Christmas presents! But that’s not all – I know the football jersey that’s too small may be just right for some other boy. I don’t play with my power wheels racer track a lot, so I put it in the box with some cars and a bunch of other stuff. Dad says there’s a little boy out there whose eyes will light up when he sees my cool things!
Going through my closet isn’t fun, but I like to help people. When we took our stuff to church and gave it to that man. He smiled and said, “Thank you,” then he gave me a card with a bible verse. I smiled right back up at him. Yep, I don’t mind the Christmas clean-out so much anymore because I know I’m sharing. I know that pleases God, too!
Conversation Starters
1. The Christmas clean-out serves many purposes. Name some of the benefits you can think of.
2. Often “things” pile up because we don’t invest the time or energy to sort through it and get rid of it. Removing sin from our life is kind of similar. Are you hanging onto careless habits or bad behaviors that are unbiblical because you don’t make it a priority to stop them?
3. Talk about the rewards of cleansing your life and heart from sinful choices.
An Adult Perspective
Just ask my husband, Chris. I am a confessed pack rat! It’s true – I hang onto more “stuff” than I care to admit! I was raised in a home where we kept things instead of throwing it away. Possessions tended to accumulate in piles. Holding onto things isn’t all bad – I mean, we didn’t go buy something new because the old one was broken. My dad was more inclined to fix it not replace it, and there is value in that principle, too.
There’s a fine line between clutter and treasure – and I’m not always so effective at acknowledging the difference!
This bible verse came to mind: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) I couldn’t help but think of my closet. I don’t think God cares what’s in there. I don’t think He counts the clothes I don’t wear, but He is attentive to my heart. So I thought about my heart and possible clutter collecting there. Have bad habits settled in where Godly traits should reside? I reread Hebrew 12:1 above and asked myself: What weight is slowing me down, or what sin easily trips me up? Then I opened my heart in prayer and asked God to help me clean house!
I think I’ll do the Christmas clean-out myself this year and throw in some spiritual cleansing, too. Here’s my plan: I’ll throw out one hurt with one shirt. I’ll eliminate undeniable sin along with the bin of useless belts. I can picture it now – less clutter in my closet, more space in my heart for Christ! I’ll rearrange my thoughts to linger over the true meaning of Christmas; the miracle of His birth! Oh, the joy of a clean closet! Oh, the blessing of a cleansed heart!
Make room for Christ in your heart this Christmas!
