I have a love hate relationship with Christmas shopping. It’s been like this for years.

Generally I don’t like shopping. I guess that’s why I don’t do it that often … though there was a time when I would check out the computer shops on Saturday afternoons, not to buy anything but to look at what I might want to purchase in the future. 

My kids like shopping for clothes. I really dislike it and that’s why I only shop for clothes when I’m in desperate need, or when my wife, Lily, has conned me into trying something on.

What I’m saying is you won’t find me in stores very often … well, maybe Costco on occasion. 

However, at Christmas time I make up for a whole year of store neglect. 

You know how many stores go from being in the red all year to getting in the black at Christmas? Well, I’m part of their Christmas statistic.

I have to say that I still don’t like the shopping aspect of Christmas, but I do like purchasing gifts for my loved ones.

And, for that joy, I will drive to the store even if it’s a dollar store to get stocking stuffers.

But what I don’t like is roaming around a mall or store looking for some illusive item that will be the perfect gift for my wife or either of my kids. 

Maybe that’s why I dislike hunting. 

Hunters go in the bush, get a nice comfortable spot and wait and wait and wait. 

Sometimes they come back to the camp at the end of the day and they never took a shot. They never saw anything to shoot or they didn’t have a clear shot when there was something in their sights. 

The thing about hunters is they are okay with that. And the next day they go right back out there to wait and wait all over again. 

I would want to shoot the gun. After a couple of hours I’d been looking for something to shoot. I wouldn’t even care if it was a stump or a tree or even just into the ground. I would want to fire that gun. 

When I Christmas shop I want to bag that gift. I don’t want to look and look and not find anything to buy. I want to get into that store, pick up an item and head to the till with my purchase. 

What gets me all frustrated though is that my family has a difficult time giving me suggestions of what they want. 

Look, I’m going to buy you a present. Don’t tell me you don’t know what you want. 

Give me a target to shoot at. Please!

All I need to see is the twinkle of the lights on the packaging and I will not miss.

I will come home with the trophy.

But sadly this Christmas looks like it is going to be spent waiting and waiting, then looking and looking for the perfect gift for some important people who don’t know what they want or need. 

Here’s the thing: There are a lot of people who don’t know what they need. They seem to be oblivious of their need. They’re happy to go along without knowing what they really need in life. That is when we have to let them know what they are missing out on, what they could have if they were aware. What we all need is Christ in our lives. If someone doesn’t know it, it’s worth telling them so they don’t miss out. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What do you need most this Christmas? Leave your comments and questions below.

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