For some time I have wanted to write on the topic, “Stuff is not bad.” It is an important topic. To me, it seems especially important for those of us who promote simplicity, to temper our polemic against consumerism with an acknowledgement that material possessions are not inherently bad. In fact, the things that people create are often amazing. Owning those things is often a joy.

In my religious tradition, Christianity, there was a second-century aberration from orthodox belief known as Gnosticism. The Gnostics had many beliefs that differed from Christians. One of the most egregious was the belief that the material world was bad and only the spiritual realm was good. Of course, this is a fundamental departure from the Christian view of things. In the first few pages of the Christian scriptures, God pronounces creation “good.” Even though the next few pages of the Christian scriptures describe “the fall,” orthodox theology teaches that sin exposes material things to corruption. It does not teach that sin makes material things bad.

I mention this because, whether Christian or not, a person needs some kind of framework by which to judge the goodness or badness of things. My opinion by itself does not make much of a framework. We all must believe. For thousands of years most humans have found it best to believe in more that the self as the judge of things. It is good to involve others in our beliefs, including our beliefs about material possessions.

It seems to me that those of us who promote simplicity have an opportunity around Christmas time. We can humble ourselves among our families and friends and communities, receive material gifts and even give some material gifts. We can acknowledge that “stuff is not bad,” even as we preach that the excesses of consumerism have been bad. Perhaps through moderation and the celebration of the human creativity that produces many material things that are amazing, we can show a way to appreciate things without becoming consumed by things.

This is my admonition to myself and to others who love simplicity: be gracious to humans bearing gifts this Christmas.