Then there is the decorating of homes. In our community people spend thousands of dollars and weeks of their time in decorating their property with lights and moving figures of Santa Claus and his elves. Some have put up literally thousands of lights that cover the entire house and all the trees and shrubbery in the yard. Electric bills are reported to rise to more than a thousand dollars a month. Then there are moving displays with figures and lights and little trains which one can view through the windows of homes.

For many in our society Christmas has become an opportunity for conspicuous consumption. And the retail merchants are very happy.

How about those of us who wish to observe Christmas by reflecting Christ's salvation? That, after all, is the essence of Christmas: Jesus came into this world as a baby boy to be the Savior of the world, to suffer, die and rise again for the justification of the world from its sins. What can or should we do to celebrate Christmas?

Maybe one of the best ways would be to avoid the conspicuous consumption that surrounds us and use our material blessings-our money and other resources-to further the work of spreading the good news about the salvation in that Christ child. What better Christmas tradition could we have than to make it our practice to support the work of our congregation with a special gift? Wouldn't that be pleasing to God and wouldn't it bring pleasure to us too, knowing that we are doing with our money what is pleasing to God?

In line with that, our traditions for Christmas should revolve around our family of believers and our family of parents, children, and grandparents/grandchildren. In doing so the traditions should revolve around the Christ-child Himself, not around the many other practices which do nothing to proclaim the message of Christ's birth.

One good Christmas tradition for Christians is to send out a yearly message to relatives and friends. In that message it should be possible to write about how our Lord has blessed us during the year, and how our faith in our Savior has strengthened and upheld us in our difficulties. A Christmas card is welcome, but a letter, which has demanded some time and thought, can be much more meaningful to others. Surely there are those who need the encouragement and testimony to the Christian faith!

Another excellent Christmas tradition is to take time to visit those who are less fortunate. Many congregations make it their practice to visit with Christmas carols those who are shut up in their homes or in institutions. What joy this brings to those who hear the familiar Christmas carols that tell of Christ's love and His work for us!

So, what are you doing this Christmas? How are you going to spend your time and money? Are you proclaiming Christ in your traditions? Thank God many of us do that. Let us encourage each other to do even more! Say "Merry Christmas" to everyone you meet.

David Lillegard is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sebastian, Florida.