Stewardship of the Earth
Care for God's creation this Christmas!
by Inez Torres Davis
We all want to give gifts. In fact, it is expected! But between a sour economy and a wish to be good to God’s creation, I want to encourage you to remember Mary and Joseph as a poor young couple. Find ways to honor this humble story!
Give time or a skill The first year after our first grandchild was born, I created gift coupons on my home computer using free online clip art and our printer. Some were for one or two hours of child care, and there were even a couple of overnight coupons. They were a great way to say, “We want to help care for our grandchild” without saying, “We are your anytime free sitters.” Our daughter loved them because she did not feel like she was bugging us to watch her baby, and we loved them because we loved to watch our new grandson.
You may not have a new grandchild, but do you give a good manicure or foot rub? Are you a great gardener? Know how to clean a bathroom until it sings? (Personally, I hope someone gives me a “clean house” certificate!) What do you know how to do?
Give something that delights and then goes away If you do have some cash to spend, you can still express your care for creation. Place a good bottle of wine, some exquisite cheese, some to-die-for chocolate (like
Divine Chocolate from the LWR chocolate project) and some delicate crackers in a reusable basket. Or go with just the wine and the chocolate. After the gift has been used, little is left other than the reusable basket.
Do you make your own jelly or jam? Is your mac-and-cheese a favorite at all the church potlucks? A gift like that will be enjoyed and remembered! Use a casserole dish you want returned (who would mind?) or purchase one to make it part of the gift; just avoid aluminum pans. A recycled tin filled with a collection of homemade cookies is always a tasty gift appropriate for any age or relationship.
Other consumables could be tickets to a sporting event or concert, passes to movies, DVD rentals, a massage certificate, or a membership at a fitness center. Such gifts do not contribute to environmental degradation; they do not have excess packaging and create little or no waste. They also clearly say, “I know you!”
Give something you’ve planned to give later, now
Why wait until
you pass on to pass on an heirloom? Do it this Christmas and treasure the joy expressed by the person to whom you give a great-grandmother’s favorite broach or a great-grandfather’s fishing lure collection. This is recycling in its most beautiful and heartfelt form!
Or create your own heirloom as you recycle. Shop antique shops and flea markets for such items as mercury glass vases, antique perfume bottles, antique handkerchiefs, costume jewelry, or working pocket watches, to name a few.
Kids often like the simplest things the best For children, think of educational or enriching consumables like a paint set or crayons and a big pad of paper. A large hat box can become a dress-up box into which are placed such things as toy sheriff badges, feather boas, pirate eye-patches and the like for dress-up pretend fun. You don’t have to put every single thing needed into the box—just a few key items to get the child started with pretend play! Add to this dress up box throughout the year with other items that you make or find while out and about.
I hope I have made my point: Use what you have and know how to create what you need to express your love and appreciation this Christmas. The fact that such gifts also express your care for creation makes you twice blessed.
Inez Torres Davis is director for justice, Women of the ELCA.