Gyasi Ross: Avoid over-consumerism during the holiday season

I pray that you all resist the temptation to feel powerless during this time. You are not powerless and gifts do not make the season. I also hope that you fight the urge to try to give your loved ones all the material things that they want—that simply feeds the monster. A few presents should be plenty. This is a teaching opportunity: life is not about getting. Life is not about spending. IF there IS a purpose to the Christmas season, that purpose is to BE TOGETHER and to LOVE TOGETHER. That’s cool—there’s plenty of Native Christians, and God bless you, definitely celebrate the day of your Savior’s birth. Still, let’s not buy into (literally!) all the materialistic nonsense that is associated with Christmas; that materialism is 100% western-created and has NOTHING to do with the sacred part (if there is one) of the holiday.

Let’s not use religion as an excuse to be ugly and excessive like the rest of America. Indigenous people are different—excess hasn’t historically been a part of our makeup. Hunter/gatherers couldn’t be excessive—it was impractical.

The alternative? Celebrate important times the way Indigenous people have always celebrated; love each other unabashedly and actively. All the time, not just this time of the year—but DEFINITELY during this time of the year! Make your children sick of seeing you because you spend so much time with them. I try to make up for the gifts that my son does NOT get by spending time with him. Go to the movies. Go play basketball. Get in a snowball fight. Eat bad food together. Eat ice cream and watch wrestling late at night. Make memories. It’s about presence, not presents—Native love has never been about Hallmark cards or gift wrap. It’s about inclusion and security and protection and food (!!!).