tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post4135287831923128533..comments2024-01-08T10:43:35.440-06:00Comments on SpouseConnect: Christmas Gifts from Your Church?Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838090105213069031noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-46964694858442588742012-12-18T00:44:53.030-06:002012-12-18T00:44:53.030-06:00Whose birthday is it we celebrate at Christmas? W...Whose birthday is it we celebrate at Christmas? Who should be getting the gifts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-28042393314454584572012-12-17T12:54:33.741-06:002012-12-17T12:54:33.741-06:00At least, at least, at least. Doesn't anyone e...At least, at least, at least. Doesn't anyone ever get tired of being the least?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-18761427390466741392012-12-16T09:13:17.295-06:002012-12-16T09:13:17.295-06:00Where is the gratitude? Who cares if its the same...Where is the gratitude? Who cares if its the same meal as a Wednesday night? It was a meal prepared for you. They could have been home making a meal for their own families. How about a simple "Thank you"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-78367456620458251942012-12-14T15:15:49.450-06:002012-12-14T15:15:49.450-06:00Still a trip to France would be nice too!Still a trip to France would be nice too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-80378220979828912942012-12-14T14:17:13.518-06:002012-12-14T14:17:13.518-06:00Through 5 appointments (9 different churches, mind...Through 5 appointments (9 different churches, mind you) we have received many different and varied Christmas gifts from many different congregations - usually the church as a whole has given a love gift. Many many many people have gifted us with trinkets - both cherished and not-so-cherished. Always our private response has been the same (or close to the same): "at least they thought of us." In some churches this has been coupled with shock at the concept of being thought of in a parish where we were so clearly not welcome or wanted. But always, "at least they thought of us. It could have been nothing or worse.... something negative." I challenge us all to find the positive in the gifts we receive this Christmas (since we are in the business of spreading GOOD news). Most parishioners are stumped when it comes to giving gifts to their Pastor and family - someone they may feel close to but don't really know too well. Let's walk in their shoes for a moment and give grace accordingly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344296417215561454.post-5155013377242251872012-12-14T09:26:44.345-06:002012-12-14T09:26:44.345-06:00Oh me. There is an older couple in our church that...Oh me. There is an older couple in our church that seems to hold by the "more is more" philosophy. Whereas a single ornament or something, nicely wrapped, would be a nice gift (though definitely not something we need, since we have more than enough ornaments!) they instead fill baskets and bags with numerous little unrelated items. Ornaments and magnets and a stocking hanger and books and stuffed animals for the kids, and a scented sache, and on and on. <br /><br />Then when I react with frustration (privately at home) and immediately take many of the items to a donation box, my husband berates me for being ungrateful. Yes, it's the thought that counts, but while it's nice they're "thinking of us," they're not actually putting thought into a gift. Just throwing junk at us! Jessica Miller Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11407283047174143978noreply@blogger.com