Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas

“Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush rather than a last minute rush.”  Unknown

                Can you imagine the town of Bethlehem the night Christ was born?  So many people there were no available rooms in the inn.  Everyone was rushing about taking care of their taxes missing what was really important happening in a stable nearby . . . a prophesy being fulfilled, a King being born!  They’d heard about it for years, some even believed it but they were so caught up in their daily task they missed it!  I wonder how many of us will miss the true spirit of CHRISTmas-peace, goodwill, joy-because we get too caught up in our frivolous daily tasks!

                I’m truly convinced that what Christ wants, especially in today’s world, (outside of ourselves/hearts) is our time!  To truly keep Christ as the center of our CHRISTmas we must daily spend time focused and searching for Him!  No matter how you plan on spending your time with/for Him I encourage you to do something every day!  Don’t leave Him out!!  Here are a few ways I plan on doing that this year:

1.       Daily devotions/prayer time -   Even when you I am used to having a daily “quiet” time with God, it’s easy for it to get pushed to the side during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  A little ironic that we I skip it to cook or run get a last minute present for HIS birthday – but it’s true.  So let’s pick a time and make it a priority – no matter when it is.  Write it in your schedule if you have to!  (Guilty)

2.       Celebrate Advent –This will be our first year to celebrate the Advent.  I still don’t know a lot about it but I love what I’m learning mainly from other blogs!  For those who may not know much about it, the word advent simply means “coming” or “arrival”.  Advent starts the fourth Sunday before Christmas (yesterday) and ends Christmas Eve.  It is a time set aside in anticipation of the birth of Jesus and then his return to Earth.  Advent is celebrated in many different ways.  You can do an internet search and find tons of activities to celebrate Advent. 

What I’m drawing from it this year is that it is a time of intentionally setting my heart and mind towards Jesus!   I’ll be doing my morning devotions and prayer time.   I wanted something to do with “Miss Priss” also.  At first I thought about a Jesse Tree (there's LOTS of information in cyberspace on this one), but then I decided she was still too young for that (she just turned 2).  I also bought the book The Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda White and I love it!  However, I feel a passage and making an ornament a day is still a little much for her.  We may take a few things from the book this year, but will do most of it next year.   This year we will be doing What God Wants for Christmas.  No matter what you choose to celebrate include your whole family!

3.       What God Wants for Christmas-  “Miss Priss” knows Christmas is Jesus’ birthday but that’s really all she knows.  So I felt this year we should just really focus on the nativity.  I love the way this book is very kid-friendly and has the anticipation of the gifts.  It’s meant to be done in a week but we’re going to take it slow and add in some more activities/crafts so that it lasts from today until Christmas Eve.  We’ll be spending about four days on each “gift”which is basically the "characters" in the nativity with the last gift being what God really wants - you!  We’ll probably be doing this during our Tot School time so I’ll keep you posted :)

4.       Service to Others- There’s really nothing God wants for Christmas except us and our service to Him.  Of course we can serve Him by serving others.  There are SO many ways to help serve others during this time of year:  delivering fruit baskets, taking gifts to the nursing home, visiting/donating to a Children’s home, taking dinner to a family,  “adopting” a child for Christmas, etc.  The list could go on and on! Pray that God will show you someone to help and I know He will!

5.       Decorations – Each year I try to let the nativity be the first thing I put out.  We also have a nativity in every room as a visual reminder.  You can include Christ in many of your decorations.  I actually read of someone doing a “Nativitree” in which all their ornaments and tree decorations were centered around the nativity. 

6.       Music-  I’ve been listening to Christmas music for a month now! There are so many Christmas songs I love I wanted to listen to them for more than just a month!  Playing Christmas music either in the car or in the house while working also helps me to stay calm and peaceful and remember the true reason for the season!

7.       Reading of the Christmas Story: This has always been a family tradition at our house.  Growing up my Daddy always read it to us on Christmas Eve and now that we have our own family my husband reads it to “Miss Priss” on Christmas Eve!  Whenever you do it, take some time out as a family to read from the Bible and talk about it.  It’s such a blessing!

Curt reading Jesus' birth to "Miss Priss" from her Bible 

8.       Church Activities:  Being involved in church activities are also a great way to keep Christ in Christmas.  Our church does not have a regular Christmas Eve service or candlelight as some do so I LOVE that Christmas is on Sunday this year!  That means we will be in church on Christmas morning!  We also have a Christmas play at our church, and do a float for the local Christmas parade.  Most years we also go caroling-although that hasn’t been planned for this year.  All of these are ways of spreading and remembering the true meaning of Christmas!

              So how does your family keep Christ in CHRISTmas?  Do you celebrate Advent?  A special service project you do every year? I’d love to know!