You really knocked this one out of the park John. If everyone performed just one charitable act during the holidays, they would see their communities and their holiday experience significantly improve!
My grandson was born on Dec.24th Christmas eve. It was the greatest gift I ever received. I think we all take for granted the "gifts" that God has given us all year long. Let's give back in some way, even a simple little way if you can, and let's give thanks and a Merry Christmas to all the military away from home and loved ones.
It’s a broke Christmas for us. We found Dave Ramsey and realized the way we were living wasn’t ok. So we’ve told people we can’t buy gifts. We’re making a future for ourselves and we can buy people gifts next year.
I'm not saying "you're wrong, and you must be like me!", so please don't take it that way. But when I was going thru my divorce I didn't have the money to buy Christmas presents, but still had the urge to give. I ended up making bird feeders from old wine bottles, Christmas ornaments from wood, etc. People knew I was hurting for cash, and they understood.
Rural Christmas Tradition Recommendation. We always read the Christmas story around a manger in the barn with the animals, dirt, and straw all around us.
I lost my son less than two years ago. Christmas isn't the same but we continue on with our traditions and look for joy in the moments we had together and still have with our three other children. I'm glad I stuck around to the end of the video, thanks John.
I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost my oldest son and the holidays have not been the same. I try every year to find the joy that Christmas once brought but it continues to elude me. My faith in Christ has not been shaken, in facts it is deeper, but the “holiday season” just feels empty. I pray that God blesses you and your family this Christmas and that you find some peace.
Thanks John ❤ 2 years ago on Nov 5th I lost my wife just about 6 weeks before our 45th anniversary. It was tough but I had a good friend and a loving church. The Lord has been very gracious to me. I live in my son's basement now and have opportunities to help others and volunteer at the Ark encounter in kentucky.
That was really nice of you to acknowledge that Christmas can be a difficult time for some people. God bless you, your family, and all of your people. Merry Christmas!
Jon, I've been here since the beginning. I'm sure you've forgotten about me as a just a lowly pilot. But your message has been consistent for years which I am glad Shawn Ryan picked up for his podcast. We emailed his goofy, Gummy-Bear havin asss for years and he finally invited you on. Big ups to those benefiting from Jon's CQB/ETC channel. Everything you need to know to fight back is right here.
Christmas is gonna be pretty tough on my folks this year. My brother and i are adults but we have a kid sister. Ive been very blessed with a new step in my career and can afford a good christmas for my family and thats what ive done. My father worked his whole life to keep us alive and we always had good christmases, this year its my turn and im okay with that
We do travel to family. We are the only ones who live in our area. Most of the family live within about 30 minutes of each other. We make the 2.5 hour drive to them. While I agree and do everything else. We know that making the move would cost us that bit. We talk about the past on the drive down and the future on the drive home. Works well for us.
My close friends have most of the family a couple hours away - it makes sense for them to drive there, too. That’s understandable. But my parents have NEVER made the 10-13 hour drive back to where their parents live for Christmas since they got married a few decades ago. They used to go for thanksgiving and now they only go for thanksgiving every few years and make summer trips in between.
It's been a tough year for me (FJB). I am a owner / operator of a seasonal business, and this isn't the season. I live very far apart from any of my family. While I used to travel to them for Christmas, it got to be something I didn't look forward to, so I stoppped. This year my mom is spending Christmas with me. I already told her money's tight and I won't be able to do much while she's here, but she's coming anyway since it's been a few years since we saw each other. She'll be here in about two weeks and I can't wait. John, your message really hit home for me. We've forgotten what Christmas means.
You are brilliant on the idea of opening presents all day long. Wish I had thought of that. Jon, you are a brilliant Man and I so appreciate you and you're family. I truly wish you were my neighbor. I could learn much. I got a little teary eyed with the Thanksgiving Man story. You never know the need.
The greatest gift you can give anybody is your time. Our Christmas has always been about family. If Aunt so and so is broke this year we get her gift cards for things she can use to help her, and she doesn't get us anything except a few handmade gifts. I don't care what you say, our family is our immediate family. TIME is all we have to offer. They are all my family.
My family's tradition for Christmas day is to host a breakfast for any family friend with no other close by family. That is something I have carried on even after moving away from most of my family. It gives others some time to spend with friends and it doesn't really break the bank. Other than that gifts are only really for thr kids.
Christmas morning 2015, I lost my mother in law to failed kidneys. A few days after Christmas 2018 I found out my wife had liver cancer, and two months later, she was no longer with us. So yes, Christmas is a very difficult time of year for my boy and I.
I am so sorry for your losses. Prayers for you and your son, here's to new traditions, maybe serving others this year? Bringing joy to others brings so much joy to us!
So similar to how my family does Christmas.👊 Even the pajamas on Christmas Eve! lol We thought we were the only ones that dragged it out like that. One thing we have been doing the last few years is Advent leading up to Christmas. We have really enjoyed Arnold Ytreeide's Advent stories. The first in the series is 'Jotham's Journey. Good stuff. Thanks for the video!
We ABSOLUTELY love the Jothams Journey advent stories. They are amazing for kids and adults, suspenseful stories that keep their attention but focus on Christ, and show what the world was like when Jesus came into the world. So good!!
We have some great Christmas traditions that we've started as a family. Though out the years we've added some things. One that my wife started was giving out gift cards. She had this feeling to buy a couple $25 gift cards one year and started to hand them out to people that seemed down or looked like they needed help thoughout the season. We've kept this tradition since.
Thanksgiving and Christmas, at least in my house, is about being together as a (albeit rather small) family. The gift is the bond between all of us together. We go to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at church. We eat Christmas dinner and go to Weinachtsmarkt in my old hometown, then we drink our traditional Glühwein by the wood fireplace my grandfather built. We follow many of the old German traditions passed down in my family for generations.
Love it! This was sorely needed, and I love the traditions you've shared. Hopefully, we can bring some of those into our own Christmas. God bless you and yours.
I am 65. My extended family is too large to give gifts. Also, as a parent, My own kids and their families descend upon us. That is a lot. I can deal with that. One day, my wife and I will be too old to host everyone, then one of the kids will have to take over and drive by to pick us up. As for gifts, I always try to keep the cost down and make them really practical. One year, everyone got AR mags. Another I remember giving MagLula loaders for handguns to everyone. Another year I remember a small backpack packable honing steel for your knife. As for the extended family? We go see them throughout the year. We get into the menu planning pretty hard. We do a tree, no external decorations. I can't do ladders. My kids seem to be upgrading my tool chest contents. Many of my tools have worn pretty darn hard. My son knows Klein screwdrivers are a homerun gift. Last year my daughter gave me a really warm pair of Morino wool hunting socks. All of ya'll, God Bless, be safe, and Merry Christmas. Keep praying for each other. We all need it.
All the comments on not celebrating Christmas because it's pagan🤣. The facts are : Christ was born at some point. His salvation is the greatest gift ever given. Since we do not know the exact date He was born, what's wrong with celebrating on Dec. 25th? I think it's awesome that for the northern hemisphere, we are celebrating the Light of the world during the darkest time of year. ❤️
My wife and I lost our oldest daughter (#3 of 4) 8 years ago to a brain aneurysm. The holidays fell to the wayside and have only started to make a comeback last year. I appreciate your understanding and compassion for those in like situations. Thank you. Happy holidays and God bless you and yours.
My wife's Brother committed suicide on Christmas Day. That was back in 1985, and it's still a tough time of year for her. Over the years I've tried to find ways to cast a better light on the day, but I've only had limited success. She can't (or won't) let it go, and it dampens the joy the birth of our savior should bring, but I keep the faith that someday we will find a way and she will accept that it's a day to rejoice in spite of her loss.
We stopped gifts to extended family years ago. We have an advent calendar that the kids read part of the birth story of Christ. We have an advent book that leads us through scripture from Genesis to Christ birth and the promise of a savior. We drive around looking at Christmas light and listened to the audio book of Charles Dickens - Christmas Carol Make memories and build traditions with your family. Gifts are fun but a small part of how we celebrate Christ's birth. Thanks for the video warrior poet society. Merry Christmas
Yeah, My family started that process a few years ago. Cutting down on travel time, and gift buying. The cutting out toxic family member came next, that one can be harsh, but such a weight off shoulders. I recently watched a Mickey/Minnie Christmas show, "Mickey and Minnie's Gift of the Magi." They should've been having a broke Christmas, but they both traded/sold their most prized possession to give the other something to go with their most prized possession. Had they just focused on each other, vs a fancy gift they would have been better off which they realized after the fact. I think volunteering could make for a great tradition. There are lots of ways to just donate money/gifts to a box or drop off location, but it brings on a new light when you give your time to one of these organizations. I like Toys for Tots, one as a former Marine, and because I've had the opportunity to help with it. The toys gathered are brought to a central location, and local families from the community were brought in and allowed to "shop" for their children. That's one reason I think it is important to donate quality gifts for these donations. Yes the children will be happy with most anything, but having something a little nicer really gives them something to be proud of.
I lost the love of my life 40 years ago. There hasn't been a day gone by when I don't wonder... what if? The sad part is, her birthday is on December 25th. 😢 It's people like you John that make this time of year better. As one vet to another, I can't thank you enough. I salute you.
John, you straight nailed me in the feels with that old man at Cracker Barrel story. With our kids grown and out of the house, I too enjoy a very simple Christmas Season now. We enjoy the grandkids coming to visit, knowing that we don’t have the need to impress them. Life is good in simplicity.
I hope this Christmas isn't going to be painful. My Dad had a stroke this morning and is in the hospital. He's talking and stuff, but it's too early to tell the extent of the damage.🙏
I love your ability to show your ability to be a humble servant and be an amazing ambassador for Chris. God bless you and your family and I pray you have a joyous Christmas
John, I'm stealing your Walmart checkout idea! I just got a new job that came with a big sign-on bonus. I'm going to spend my extra bonus money to pay for someone else's Christmas presents, and I'm bringing my young nieces and nephews along for the experience. Thank you for that idea, John! Merry Christmas!🎅🎄☃️
I want to tell y'all about a Christmas tradition that my family started. When my son was in grade school they made reindeer food ( glitter the whole nine yards). So we put it in a bowl out in the driveway. On Christmas morning I woke them up by shooting the shotgun outside the window. My son asked me if I got Rudolph I told him no. And he said well there's always next year. So he just turned 17 and ever since we have woken the family up to gunshots out in the field. We get up around 5:00 a.m. cook breakfast and make coffee then about 630 -7 we lock and load to wake up the family. My wife and daughter hate it.
Thanks for that last part John. We lost my Mother last year on the 21st. My parents were married 40yrs. Then my wife and I got married on the 23rd, as it was already planned and a dream of my mom. So it will definitely be tough around Christmas this year.. God Bless!
Awesome video. Personally I like the whole daggum family being there on Christmas. But it's really refreshing hearing the points you made about the stress and finances. Let's all just truly enjoy Christmas and make memories! Also, The Cracker Barrel story was righteous! 👍
Some great stuff in there John. Sounds very similar to our family. One thing we do on Christmas is make sure each person opens a present one at a time. We all enjoy the joy and excitement of the that person receiving the gift as well as the gift giver. Our sons are out of the house now, and the girlfriends in included in this tradition. First year was rough but they have warmed up to it.
Haha hang in there and stand your ground with new family additions! Three of my brothers got married in the same year, and every once in a while dad just shakes his head at some of the ideas the new girls pitch. The three younger boys in my family are ages 17-21 and we have all asked them to please not get married all in the same year. 😂
John, I love this so much. My family and I have had the no travel policy for a few years now and it is amazing. Christmas eve our dining out is lunch at dairy queen. Pajamas and a movie at night are also something we have been doing. I like the slow paced gift opening idea and I may steal that. Thanks for all that you do. Merry Christmas.
Interesting, I like the spreading out of the gifts. My daughters and I always served meals on Christmas eve at a local shelter. Now that they are grown and have their own families they are doing it with them. This tradition really stuck and I'm proud they continued it
What a wonderful video John. Some great ideas and moving moments. I share your wife's eyes for others. I bought many meals for others when traveling alone for work. It always brought me happiness to do that. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This makes me glad my family is the way it is. My immediate family is geographically and socially distant from any part of our extended family (which is small anyway), so we never see them. We've never once traveled to visit them for any holiday, and neither have they. My brother and I both have blue collar jobs in transportation, so I'm usually working on Christmas, and he might be out of town, so our family just celebrates Christmas whenever we all happen to be home in the vicinity of the holiday. And we ask each other in advance if there's anything we want, and we all end up agreeing that we don't really need or want much of anything. Over the course of the year, if we see little things we think another member would like, we get them and make them holiday gifts, but there's never any real needs anymore. We also don't have any family drama in the immediate family. I will say, I like your idea of spreading out the present opening through the day, but that would not work with my family. We often give each other practical gifts, like socks, food, big bars of novel-smelling soap, etc. Can't spend a few hours with THAT.
We started group puzzles last year. It started with just myself and pretty soon the whole family and all the relatives were all around the puzzle and we ended up doing 3-4 1000 piece puzzle’s. It was a lot of fun, you could chat with each other, and participate as much or as little as you want.
I've always resented the obligatory, expectation-filled nature of certain holidays and traditions. I'm a generous person to everyone all year round. I treat holiday gift-giving (including cards) as something for kids, not adults. Social pressure to give gifts to someone is devoid of meaning to me, as opposed to freely, cheerfully, voluntarily giving to people out of a loving attitude. The social pressure makes me a bit irritable and unsociable at this time of year.
I've been working on trying to get my mother a concealed weapon for the last few months and when I finally had a chunk saved up (I was going to go with a compact PSA dagger a couple mags aan couple boxes of defensive ammo) I got a leg infection and the bill wiped me out and put me right back into debt. The leg infection also put me out of work for a week and I'm just not going to be able to make it up. What're the thoughts on asking for help, and where should one ask? I know a lot of people are struggling worse than me or my mother but I wouldn't be asking for more than 400 bucks. I'm conflicted.
Wonderful insights and traditions. Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours ❤️✨️ My family has decided to open presents on New Years so we can keep Jesus the focus on Christmas. This is our first year doing it and I'm trying to find good ways to fill up Christmas with new traditions for our young family.
This is really good! I think you would enjoy the book (Winter Fire with GK Chesterton) if you haven’t already read it. We just added this read to our advent this year
I can somewhat understand the idea of the inner circle of your immediate family being together. Remember that your parents were once in your position and by your definition be left alone. Do not do that.... if at all possible..... include them somehow during the day/ eve. Time is short, and one of my biggest regrets as a now 66-year-old is I did not include my parents on the actual day. They spent their holiday alone. Because I was selfish.
I remember one of the best Christmas years. It was 1980’s my dad was lad off from Cat we moved to goldfield Nevada. The Christmas tree looked like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. My dad found it. Think of is trees that don’t get nutrients and water they don’t grow they look like Japanese bonsai tree look it up.
Christmas has always been immediate family since I was a kid. We tend to do Christmas Eve dinner with extended family but Christmas Day is done separate from each other.
A fun tradition we do: we have breakfast foods for dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and call it Yule Brinner. Watching “The Ten Commandments” is optional.
So my family does Christmas BIG. I have a big family and everyone wants to see each other. So from the 23rd to the 26th we do nothing except spend time with all 60ish people by eating, playing games and just chatting. In those four days, I normally gain like 7 pounds from eating so much.
Shrug, I give gifts throughout the year, and cards/letters on special occasions. I have cousins who love books, and I'm downsizing my library. Perfect fit. Toss in some cookies you don't find around here, and boom, done. Helps me reduce clutter, and they're free to donate them or keep them, as they see fit. One of them has grandchildren, so I went through and handed over the stuff I had when I was a child, all those decades ago. Not having children of my own, there's no reason to hold onto them. Do NOT go into debt for a holiday, it defeats the purpose. Those you care about want your time and attention; those are the memories that will stick around.
In true reality, within our immediate households, everyday in it's own sense is Christmas. We buy the things as best we can to make everyone happy and set up with all that's needed. As the greatest example of love that Jesus taught us is to give and love as best we can. It's not about going into debt only to fail and disappoint but with senseless gifts bought out of guilt or "duty" One corporate holiday should never change that. But... Christmas for the young ones does need to be special, also as best you can!
Great ideas. Wished I would have thought of the gift opening thru the day, 29 years ago. My children are raised now. The Thanksgiving story at Cracker Barrel was touching. Thank you for your sentiments, my late Grandmother's birthday was on Christmas eve, she passed away not too long ago.
You really knocked this one out of the park John. If everyone performed just one charitable act during the holidays, they would see their communities and their holiday experience significantly improve!
My grandson was born on Dec.24th Christmas eve. It was the greatest gift I ever received. I think we all take for granted the "gifts" that God has given us all year long. Let's give back in some way, even a simple little way if you can, and let's give thanks and a Merry Christmas to all the military away from home and loved ones.
It’s a broke Christmas for us. We found Dave Ramsey and realized the way we were living wasn’t ok. So we’ve told people we can’t buy gifts. We’re making a future for ourselves and we can buy people gifts next year.
Dave Ramsey steps work.I can attest to that
Gazelle Focus!!!!! You can do this! 😊
I'm not saying "you're wrong, and you must be like me!", so please don't take it that way. But when I was going thru my divorce I didn't have the money to buy Christmas presents, but still had the urge to give. I ended up making bird feeders from old wine bottles, Christmas ornaments from wood, etc. People knew I was hurting for cash, and they understood.
Started EveryDollar last month. Killed me to budget Christmas this month but I am at peace not going into more debt this year buying Christmas.
“If you want to live like no one else…”
Rural Christmas Tradition Recommendation. We always read the Christmas story around a manger in the barn with the animals, dirt, and straw all around us.
That’s cool!!
Love this so much
I lost my son less than two years ago. Christmas isn't the same but we continue on with our traditions and look for joy in the moments we had together and still have with our three other children. I'm glad I stuck around to the end of the video, thanks John.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I too lost my oldest son and the holidays have not been the same. I try every year to find the joy that Christmas once brought but it continues to elude me. My faith in Christ has not been shaken, in facts it is deeper, but the “holiday season” just feels empty.
I pray that God blesses you and your family this Christmas and that you find some peace.
Thanks John ❤ 2 years ago on Nov 5th I lost my wife just about 6 weeks before our 45th anniversary. It was tough but I had a good friend and a loving church. The Lord has been very gracious to me. I live in my son's basement now and have opportunities to help others and volunteer at the Ark encounter in kentucky.
That was really nice of you to acknowledge that Christmas can be a difficult time for some people. God bless you, your family, and all of your people. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas Warrior Poets.
I love the peace about your wife first and your children learning how to give, fantastic advice! 👏
I love the idea of helping those who are down for the holidays
I have spent many holidays alone.. i know how hard it can be
All of these traditions... Old/New... are great! Thanks for being and bringing Christ into this! Love ya my Brother, Merry Christmas!!!
Board games are always a fun thing to do with family during Christmas.
Yeah, but i get soooo board. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Jon, I've been here since the beginning. I'm sure you've forgotten about me as a just a lowly pilot. But your message has been consistent for years which I am glad Shawn Ryan picked up for his podcast. We emailed his goofy, Gummy-Bear havin asss for years and he finally invited you on.
Big ups to those benefiting from Jon's CQB/ETC channel. Everything you need to know to fight back is right here.
You are exactly right that spouse comes before children. The children most want dad and mom to be happy close together.
Christmas is gonna be pretty tough on my folks this year. My brother and i are adults but we have a kid sister. Ive been very blessed with a new step in my career and can afford a good christmas for my family and thats what ive done. My father worked his whole life to keep us alive and we always had good christmases, this year its my turn and im okay with that
Imagine buying presents for your wifes cousins that you never see and honestly dont like.
Lmfao!!!
And going into debt to do it😂
To hell with them kinda cousins. I only hear from them when they want something.
Been there, did that. Don't do that no more! 😅
Hell I don't even like my own cousins!
We do travel to family. We are the only ones who live in our area. Most of the family live within about 30 minutes of each other. We make the 2.5 hour drive to them.
While I agree and do everything else. We know that making the move would cost us that bit.
We talk about the past on the drive down and the future on the drive home.
Works well for us.
My close friends have most of the family a couple hours away - it makes sense for them to drive there, too. That’s understandable. But my parents have NEVER made the 10-13 hour drive back to where their parents live for Christmas since they got married a few decades ago. They used to go for thanksgiving and now they only go for thanksgiving every few years and make summer trips in between.
It's been a tough year for me (FJB). I am a owner / operator of a seasonal business, and this isn't the season. I live very far apart from any of my family. While I used to travel to them for Christmas, it got to be something I didn't look forward to, so I stoppped. This year my mom is spending Christmas with me. I already told her money's tight and I won't be able to do much while she's here, but she's coming anyway since it's been a few years since we saw each other. She'll be here in about two weeks and I can't wait. John, your message really hit home for me. We've forgotten what Christmas means.
“Aunt Teak”- ANTIQUE??
“Birds are…cheep”
Y’all are too smooth with the Dad jokes and we love to see it. Merry Christmas everyone!
You are brilliant on the idea of opening presents all day long. Wish I had thought of that. Jon, you are a brilliant Man and I so appreciate you and you're family. I truly wish you were my neighbor. I could learn much. I got a little teary eyed with the Thanksgiving Man story. You never know the need.
My husband and I go to visit our widows in our church and spend time with them on Christmas
Helping others feels so good ❤ What a blessing.
The greatest gift you can give anybody is your time. Our Christmas has always been about family. If Aunt so and so is broke this year we get her gift cards for things she can use to help her, and she doesn't get us anything except a few handmade gifts. I don't care what you say, our family is our immediate family. TIME is all we have to offer. They are all my family.
My family's tradition for Christmas day is to host a breakfast for any family friend with no other close by family. That is something I have carried on even after moving away from most of my family. It gives others some time to spend with friends and it doesn't really break the bank. Other than that gifts are only really for thr kids.
Christmas morning 2015, I lost my mother in law to failed kidneys. A few days after Christmas 2018 I found out my wife had liver cancer, and two months later, she was no longer with us. So yes, Christmas is a very difficult time of year for my boy and I.
I am so sorry for your losses. Prayers for you and your son, here's to new traditions, maybe serving others this year? Bringing joy to others brings so much joy to us!
So similar to how my family does Christmas.👊 Even the pajamas on Christmas Eve! lol We thought we were the only ones that dragged it out like that. One thing we have been doing the last few years is Advent leading up to Christmas. We have really enjoyed Arnold Ytreeide's Advent stories. The first in the series is 'Jotham's Journey. Good stuff. Thanks for the video!
We ABSOLUTELY love the Jothams Journey advent stories. They are amazing for kids and adults, suspenseful stories that keep their attention but focus on Christ, and show what the world was like when Jesus came into the world. So good!!
Lots of wisdom and heart in all that.
We have some great Christmas traditions that we've started as a family. Though out the years we've added some things. One that my wife started was giving out gift cards. She had this feeling to buy a couple $25 gift cards one year and started to hand them out to people that seemed down or looked like they needed help thoughout the season. We've kept this tradition since.
Thanksgiving and Christmas, at least in my house, is about being together as a (albeit rather small) family. The gift is the bond between all of us together. We go to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at church. We eat Christmas dinner and go to Weinachtsmarkt in my old hometown, then we drink our traditional Glühwein by the wood fireplace my grandfather built. We follow many of the old German traditions passed down in my family for generations.
Thank you John for sharing your thoughts at this time of year. I really appreciate your kind words. God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas 🎄
Love it! This was sorely needed, and I love the traditions you've shared. Hopefully, we can bring some of those into our own Christmas. God bless you and yours.
I am 65. My extended family is too large to give gifts. Also, as a parent, My own kids and their families descend upon us. That is a lot. I can deal with that. One day, my wife and I will be too old to host everyone, then one of the kids will have to take over and drive by to pick us up. As for gifts, I always try to keep the cost down and make them really practical. One year, everyone got AR mags. Another I remember giving MagLula loaders for handguns to everyone. Another year I remember a small backpack packable honing steel for your knife. As for the extended family? We go see them throughout the year. We get into the menu planning pretty hard. We do a tree, no external decorations. I can't do ladders. My kids seem to be upgrading my tool chest contents. Many of my tools have worn pretty darn hard. My son knows Klein screwdrivers are a homerun gift. Last year my daughter gave me a really warm pair of Morino wool hunting socks. All of ya'll, God Bless, be safe, and Merry Christmas. Keep praying for each other. We all need it.
All the comments on not celebrating Christmas because it's pagan🤣.
The facts are :
Christ was born at some point.
His salvation is the greatest gift ever given.
Since we do not know the exact date He was born, what's wrong with celebrating on Dec. 25th? I think it's awesome that for the northern hemisphere, we are celebrating the Light of the world during the darkest time of year. ❤️
My wife and I lost our oldest daughter (#3 of 4) 8 years ago to a brain aneurysm. The holidays fell to the wayside and have only started to make a comeback last year. I appreciate your understanding and compassion for those in like situations. Thank you. Happy holidays and God bless you and yours.
My wife's Brother committed suicide on Christmas Day. That was back in 1985, and it's still a tough time of year for her. Over the years I've tried to find ways to cast a better light on the day, but I've only had limited success. She can't (or won't) let it go, and it dampens the joy the birth of our savior should bring, but I keep the faith that someday we will find a way and she will accept that it's a day to rejoice in spite of her loss.
Sounds like a good Christmas tradition John.
We stopped gifts to extended family years ago.
We have an advent calendar that the kids read part of the birth story of Christ.
We have an advent book that leads us through scripture from Genesis to Christ birth and the promise of a savior.
We drive around looking at Christmas light and listened to the audio book of Charles Dickens - Christmas Carol
Make memories and build traditions with your family. Gifts are fun but a small part of how we celebrate Christ's birth.
Thanks for the video warrior poet society.
Merry Christmas
Yeah, My family started that process a few years ago. Cutting down on travel time, and gift buying. The cutting out toxic family member came next, that one can be harsh, but such a weight off shoulders. I recently watched a Mickey/Minnie Christmas show, "Mickey and Minnie's Gift of the Magi." They should've been having a broke Christmas, but they both traded/sold their most prized possession to give the other something to go with their most prized possession. Had they just focused on each other, vs a fancy gift they would have been better off which they realized after the fact.
I think volunteering could make for a great tradition. There are lots of ways to just donate money/gifts to a box or drop off location, but it brings on a new light when you give your time to one of these organizations. I like Toys for Tots, one as a former Marine, and because I've had the opportunity to help with it. The toys gathered are brought to a central location, and local families from the community were brought in and allowed to "shop" for their children. That's one reason I think it is important to donate quality gifts for these donations. Yes the children will be happy with most anything, but having something a little nicer really gives them something to be proud of.
Bekah again maintaining awareness for a different kind of threat. I'll bet that's a Thanksgiving memory that will not be easily forgotten.
I lost the love of my life 40 years ago. There hasn't been a day gone by when I don't wonder... what if? The sad part is, her birthday is on December 25th. 😢
It's people like you John that make this time of year better. As one vet to another, I can't thank you enough. I salute you.
John, you straight nailed me in the feels with that old man at Cracker Barrel story. With our kids grown and out of the house, I too enjoy a very simple Christmas Season now. We enjoy the grandkids coming to visit, knowing that we don’t have the need to impress them. Life is good in simplicity.
I hope this Christmas isn't going to be painful. My Dad had a stroke this morning and is in the hospital. He's talking and stuff, but it's too early to tell the extent of the damage.🙏
Prayers to you and your family 🙏. Merry Christmas.
@@tylerbeck3806 thank you and Merry Christmas to you.
That Holy Spirit guy, works in some subtle and often unnoticed ways( helping your wife spot the widower).
Peace for your Christmas brother.
Our lady of the landfill. Very nice.
You have helped shape my mind into what it means to be a man. Words can not express this gratitude
It's more blessed to give than receive.🔥✝️❤️
Cool, because my plans are to receive, soooo if you wanna send some “givings” my way, please do, I’d be happy to enjoy them gifts. 😂😂😂😂😂 You wont😢😂😅
I love your ability to show your ability to be a humble servant and be an amazing ambassador for Chris. God bless you and your family and I pray you have a joyous Christmas
Playing board/card games is also a great way to relax together!
God bless you and your family John that sounds so wonderful.
John, I'm stealing your Walmart checkout idea! I just got a new job that came with a big sign-on bonus. I'm going to spend my extra bonus money to pay for someone else's Christmas presents, and I'm bringing my young nieces and nephews along for the experience. Thank you for that idea, John! Merry Christmas!🎅🎄☃️
I’m guessing it’s going to be one of the highlights of the season for you! :)
@Rosie_C Yes, definitely! I'm looking forward to seeing my 9 year old niece learn that giving can be just as joyful as receiving! I can't wait!
I want to tell y'all about a Christmas tradition that my family started. When my son was in grade school they made reindeer food ( glitter the whole nine yards). So we put it in a bowl out in the driveway. On Christmas morning I woke them up by shooting the shotgun outside the window. My son asked me if I got Rudolph I told him no. And he said well there's always next year.
So he just turned 17 and ever since we have woken the family up to gunshots out in the field. We get up around 5:00 a.m. cook breakfast and make coffee then about 630 -7 we lock and load to wake up the family. My wife and daughter hate it.
I love your videos, and the points where you make us think.
Well done. We’ve made some big changes in this regard. Love it.
Thanks for that last part John. We lost my Mother last year on the 21st. My parents were married 40yrs. Then my wife and I got married on the 23rd, as it was already planned and a dream of my mom. So it will definitely be tough around Christmas this year..
God Bless!
Awesome video. Personally I like the whole daggum family being there on Christmas. But it's really refreshing hearing the points you made about the stress and finances. Let's all just truly enjoy Christmas and make memories! Also, The Cracker Barrel story was righteous! 👍
Long Live the Republic 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 God Bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God bless you and your family John! I pray that one day I can be an amazing father and husband just like you.
I shared this with a lot of people. This has become the way in Canada now as well. Your message should be shared.
Some great stuff in there John. Sounds very similar to our family. One thing we do on Christmas is make sure each person opens a present one at a time. We all enjoy the joy and excitement of the that person receiving the gift as well as the gift giver. Our sons are out of the house now, and the girlfriends in included in this tradition. First year was rough but they have warmed up to it.
Haha hang in there and stand your ground with new family additions! Three of my brothers got married in the same year, and every once in a while dad just shakes his head at some of the ideas the new girls pitch.
The three younger boys in my family are ages 17-21 and we have all asked them to please not get married all in the same year. 😂
John, I love this so much. My family and I have had the no travel policy for a few years now and it is amazing. Christmas eve our dining out is lunch at dairy queen. Pajamas and a movie at night are also something we have been doing. I like the slow paced gift opening idea and I may steal that. Thanks for all that you do. Merry Christmas.
Interesting, I like the spreading out of the gifts. My daughters and I always served meals on Christmas eve at a local shelter. Now that they are grown and have their own families they are doing it with them. This tradition really stuck and I'm proud they continued it
What a wonderful video John. Some great ideas and moving moments. I share your wife's eyes for others. I bought many meals for others when traveling alone for work. It always brought me happiness to do that. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This makes me glad my family is the way it is. My immediate family is geographically and socially distant from any part of our extended family (which is small anyway), so we never see them. We've never once traveled to visit them for any holiday, and neither have they. My brother and I both have blue collar jobs in transportation, so I'm usually working on Christmas, and he might be out of town, so our family just celebrates Christmas whenever we all happen to be home in the vicinity of the holiday. And we ask each other in advance if there's anything we want, and we all end up agreeing that we don't really need or want much of anything. Over the course of the year, if we see little things we think another member would like, we get them and make them holiday gifts, but there's never any real needs anymore. We also don't have any family drama in the immediate family.
I will say, I like your idea of spreading out the present opening through the day, but that would not work with my family. We often give each other practical gifts, like socks, food, big bars of novel-smelling soap, etc. Can't spend a few hours with THAT.
Please keep the conversation going forward
Awesome. Thank you John.
We started group puzzles last year. It started with just myself and pretty soon the whole family and all the relatives were all around the puzzle and we ended up doing 3-4 1000 piece puzzle’s. It was a lot of fun, you could chat with each other, and participate as much or as little as you want.
I've always resented the obligatory, expectation-filled nature of certain holidays and traditions. I'm a generous person to everyone all year round. I treat holiday gift-giving (including cards) as something for kids, not adults. Social pressure to give gifts to someone is devoid of meaning to me, as opposed to freely, cheerfully, voluntarily giving to people out of a loving attitude. The social pressure makes me a bit irritable and unsociable at this time of year.
We do the same thing on Christmas Eve! That’s awesome!
You had me smiling and laughing for most of the video then you got me all sad at the end merry Christmas to you and your family
Maybe if WE end the year well, WE will start the year well...Amen Brother 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Merry Christmas, Po. 🎚📖🔥
I've been working on trying to get my mother a concealed weapon for the last few months and when I finally had a chunk saved up (I was going to go with a compact PSA dagger a couple mags aan couple boxes of defensive ammo) I got a leg infection and the bill wiped me out and put me right back into debt. The leg infection also put me out of work for a week and I'm just not going to be able to make it up. What're the thoughts on asking for help, and where should one ask? I know a lot of people are struggling worse than me or my mother but I wouldn't be asking for more than 400 bucks. I'm conflicted.
Wonderful insights and traditions. Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours ❤️✨️
My family has decided to open presents on New Years so we can keep Jesus the focus on Christmas. This is our first year doing it and I'm trying to find good ways to fill up Christmas with new traditions for our young family.
This is really good! I think you would enjoy the book (Winter Fire with GK Chesterton) if you haven’t already read it. We just added this read to our advent this year
I can somewhat understand the idea of the inner circle of your immediate family being together. Remember that your parents were once in your position and by your definition be left alone. Do not do that.... if at all possible..... include them somehow during the day/ eve. Time is short, and one of my biggest regrets as a now 66-year-old is I did not include my parents on the actual day. They spent their holiday alone. Because I was selfish.
I remember one of the best Christmas years. It was 1980’s my dad was lad off from Cat we moved to goldfield Nevada. The Christmas tree looked like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. My dad found it. Think of is trees that don’t get nutrients and water they don’t grow they look like Japanese bonsai tree look it up.
Christmas has always been immediate family since I was a kid. We tend to do Christmas Eve dinner with extended family but Christmas Day is done separate from each other.
A fun tradition we do: we have breakfast foods for dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and call it Yule Brinner.
Watching “The Ten Commandments” is optional.
Christmas communion. Awesome idea.
So my family does Christmas BIG. I have a big family and everyone wants to see each other. So from the 23rd to the 26th we do nothing except spend time with all 60ish people by eating, playing games and just chatting. In those four days, I normally gain like 7 pounds from eating so much.
Thank you John
When I have a kid I’m doing this! I think it’s really smart.
Shrug, I give gifts throughout the year, and cards/letters on special occasions. I have cousins who love books, and I'm downsizing my library. Perfect fit. Toss in some cookies you don't find around here, and boom, done. Helps me reduce clutter, and they're free to donate them or keep them, as they see fit. One of them has grandchildren, so I went through and handed over the stuff I had when I was a child, all those decades ago. Not having children of my own, there's no reason to hold onto them. Do NOT go into debt for a holiday, it defeats the purpose. Those you care about want your time and attention; those are the memories that will stick around.
Sure I guess it’s okay to give books…if you’re older than dirt. 😂 I’m sorry, what I meant to say was…Merry Christmas. 😂
What is the best watch for SHTF, Grid down for multiple years, teotwawki preparedness?
"I will not trade my dignity for likes"
Best line ever
We did the same thing back in the early 60's 70's not so much today but then again it's just my wife and I.
We stay home for the holidays, if family wants to see us, they are welcome to come over.
Very nice video as always.
Thank You John 👍🇺🇸
In true reality, within our immediate households, everyday in it's own sense is Christmas. We buy the things as best we can to make everyone happy and set up with all that's needed. As the greatest example of love that Jesus taught us is to give and love as best we can. It's not about going into debt only to fail and disappoint but with senseless gifts bought out of guilt or "duty" One corporate holiday should never change that. But... Christmas for the young ones does need to be special, also as best you can!
GOD bless you, thank you for sharing 🙏.
I love hearing about other happy families, I think I’m gonna make my own Christmas tradition, bath with my favorite toaster ❤
Growing up my folks rules were 1 present an hour. Stopping for breakfast and a reading from Luke. Hated it as a kid..completely get it as a father.
love it. Thanks for sharing.
You're one of the good guys JL
I’ve been really tempted with lust tonight and you speaking on how your wife is first really helped me. It reminded me of Ephesians 5.
Blessings be apon you and yours sir. You are a gift to this world today. We need more like yourself.
Again, BLESSINGS ❤
Great video. Of course, I've come to expect nothing less here. Merry Christmas, all.
Great ideas. Wished I would have thought of the gift opening thru the day, 29 years ago. My children are raised now. The Thanksgiving story at Cracker Barrel was touching. Thank you for your sentiments, my late Grandmother's birthday was on Christmas eve, she passed away not too long ago.
Really nice. Thank you. Merry Christ's Mass