Homemade Social Justice

We're more than just consumers

Father John Kavanaugh, S.J. says consumerism "shapes everything in this country, from our relationships to our celebrations to our jobs, our families, our education, our medicine, and even Christmas. Our big task is to make sure we don't let it take us over totally."

In an article in St. Louis University's alumni magazine, Kavanaugh warns that advertising can be a purveyor of falsehoods. It's not that they lie about the features of their products. The lie is a bigger, more dangerous one than that.

"The dominant message of all advertising is: 'You are unhappy, and the good news is my product.' Christianity basically tells us that the product is not the good news. The fact that God would enter our lives, that's the good news."

Fortunately, Kavanaugh offers a few suggestions to help you keep your balance;

• "For every shopping excursion, you should have an excursion into relationships. If you go shopping one time, then you should spend some time praying with your kids, or going for a walk with your spouse, or sitting down and giving thanks for the gifts of life."

• "The four Sundays of Advent could be great if we really made them special. One of the simplest and best ways to do that is to simply sit down and eat together."

• "Start by very simply concentrating on the personal aspects of Christmas. If you give someone a present, you should give them a letter at the same time. I guarantee you they will remember the letter longer. And it makes the gift meaningful."

• You've seen people (not only kids) rip open their presents, toss them aside and look frantically for the next? "Some people treat their years like that," says Kavanaugh. "But we shouldn't just unwrap this year and throw it away and go on to the next. We should savor this year and spend every day of the holiday season remembering the past year in thanksgiving."

• During the week between Christmas and New Year's, plan a family get-together to celebrate "Best of the Year" night. Says Kavanaugh, "Review the best books you've read, best new friends you've made, best things that have happened, best places you've gone and best events." Be sure to either write down everyone's "bests," or audiotape or videotape this gathering; you'll cherish this family history in years to come.

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