Real Life Q&A with Camy Tang

December 2005

Christmas thought:

No Q&A this month, just a short thought I wanted to leave with you godly girls.

Now, I fully admit I'm a Scrooge. A Grinch.

I hate the same few dozen Christmas carols being played ad nauseum on the radio all month. I don't care if they're different singers and versions, it's still the same song.

I hate decorating the house because all I can think of is the time to put things up and the time to clean up afterward.

I hate that I have to spend my money on gifts when I need to pay the water bill. And I hate that I have such a not-generous attitude about it, too. I mean, aren't we as Christians supposed to be eager to give to others?

I like thinking of "the perfect gift" for someone I love. It's satisfying to find that great match of personality to gift idea. That should count, right? I just don't like forking over my credit card to pay for it.

I hate cooking on Christmas Day. It's a lot of mess and effort when I'd just like to be lazy.

Getting gifts is nice, until someone gives me something completely stupid or unusable.

BUT (you knew there's going to be a "but," right?) ...

I may not like all the peripherals that come with Christmas, but I love the day. For me, Christmas is like communion.

I take the bread and the wine (grape juice), and I remember. I search. I confess. I praise. It's time with me and God.

Christmas is the same way. I remember what the day is supposed to mean. I search my heart for ways I can more fully give myself to God. I confess any sins I've been denying or running from. I praise God for the grace to see me through another year. Christmas day, it's me and God.

I hope that you'll also take time to remember, search, confess, praise. It's not about the songs, the lights, the gifts. This is your time with God.

All together now...

Bah, humbug.

Got a question for Camy? Send an email and Camy's reply will appear in a future issue of RubyZine.