We talk all the time about keeping Christ as the center of our Christmas. Yet how many times are we guilty of being manipulated by the holiday hoax and caving in to the pressure? In this crazy world we live in where all our Christian views are being challenged, I challenge you today – do everything you can this year to share the true Christmas spirit – rejoicing in the birth of our Savior.
Not sure where to start? Start small. If you send Christmas cards, be sure you choose ones that celebrate the birth of Christ. Forget the snowman, santa, pretty winter scenes and lovely victorian pictures. If the cards do not proclaim a scripture or saying glorifying God, don’t buy them! Choosing holiday stamps? Go for the Holy Family style rather than Gingerbread Houses. Yeah, they’re cute but we’re keeping Christ as the focus, remember? Same with wrapping paper and gift bags. No, I don’t believe our wrapping paper needs to always be covered with angels : ) I use a lot of solid silver and gold paper. What I won’t use are santas, reindeer, anything that proclaims the word holiday over the word Christmas. And please do have a nativity scene in your Christmas decor.
What are you doing this year to bring the focus back to Jesus?
Hi Cynthia! Saw you on the ACFW loop. We have four kiddos, so it has always been difficult to distinguish between the “cultural” Christmas and the Christian meaning of this season. In our house, getting rid of Santa has helped us embrace the Christian meaning of Christmas a ton! My kids know they get gifts, but that the deeper meaning of what we celebrate is Christ’s birthday. This year, we’ve focused on the nativity in our decor, and kept our Santa stuff boxed up. We also remind my children (and those who receive our cards) that only in reflecting on ALL He did for us, Who He is, and God’s plan, do we really have a reason to celebrate the birth of Christ this time of year…and all year long! Glad I saw you on the loop!
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Comment by Angie Dicken — December 7, 2013
Angie,
Thank you for your encouraging comment! Your commitment to honor Christ throughout Christmas is wonderful and proves that it can be done, even with four kids : ) Have a blessed, holy Christmas.
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Comment by admin — December 8, 2013
This year I’ve “discovered” Advent. I’ve been impressed to keep it in our home and was surprised to find that our church is doing it this year also. I’ll not elaborate on this, but so far it’s been a “neat” learning experience. I, too, make sure to have a nativity scene in my decorating scheme and shun anything to do with Santa Claus and reindeer. Unintentionally, this year’s Christmas wrappings depict holly and Christmas bells mainly in red. My Christmas cards have a scene of shepherds on a hill with the Star shining above and the postage stamps feature a single beautiful red poinsettia. It’s the little things that add up. Merry Blessed Christmas to you and yours, Cynthia!
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Comment by Anita — December 9, 2013
Anita,
Always good to hear from you and thank you for sharing about your Advent experience. I love hearing how other people are centering in on Christ during this beautiful season of Hope.
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Comment by admin — December 9, 2013
Advent Wreath has been a lovely tradition for our family that starts our focus on Jesus right from the beginning of the Christmas season. It’s been one of my favorite parts of Christmas since I was little–lighting another candle each Sunday, reading the Scriptures, singing the carols together, and seeing the circle of light grow brighter, shining in the darkness. Thanks for this post, Cynthia!
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Comment by Kiersti — December 9, 2013
Kiersti,
How lovely to hear about your family tradition and what a wonderful lesson you are presenting to your family. A blessed and holy Christmas to you and yours!
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Comment by admin — December 9, 2013
Merry Christmas:-)
Yes, if only Christians would understand that everything they choose to celebrate Christmas with sends a message, we would become more effective witnesses. It is probably too late for this Christmas, but DaySpring always has awesome cards. Even the wrapping paper can project the message. It really is fun to see just how many ways we can get the message out.
Speaking of grief at Christmas: would you precious ladies please pray for my friend, Jimmy. His youngest daughter, 39, was killed in a car crash last week. She has three children. This happened on the anniversary of his older brother’s death last year. His younger brother died in Sept from cancer and Jimmy is despondent. He needs the will to go on. Thank you. God is good ALL the time! Love you all.
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Comment by Melody — December 16, 2013
Melody,
Sounds like we’re on the same page here. I love finding as many ways as possible to draw attention to the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus! Will keep your friend in prayer. Please let him know your friends are praying for him.
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Comment by admin — December 16, 2013
My son passed away in 1996 from cancer. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him. The holidays are still hard for me because he loved Christmas so much. Without my faith I would not be able to go on. Jesus is the reason for the season and I rejoice in his birth. When I feel down I pray to God. There is so much commercialism at Christmas and I admit that at times I am drawn into it too but we all need to focus on the true meaning.
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Comment by Beth C — December 17, 2013
Dear Beth,
I can’t imagine how difficult the season must be for you. I pray God helps you to focus on how much your son loved Christmas- and now you are celebrating it for him, knowing he would want you to be happy. God bless you and keep you close during this holiday and into the New Year.
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Comment by admin — December 17, 2013