So many of us can get lost in the hustle and bustle of
buying gifts, attending parties, and preparing our homes for family that we
forget to keep Christ at the center. We can easily lose sight of the true meaning
of Christmas, and before long end up stressed and overwhelmed from the barrage
of things to get done before December 25th. It is important to slow
down, balance your schedule, and reflect on why this day even exists.
Through my own experience with trying to manage
visiting all my relatives, buying a gift for everyone, and preparing my home
for family visits; I simply got lost in the busyness of it all. I will share
with you 10 tips on how to manage your time and keep the focus of Christmas.
1. Set
aside a special time to read with your family the Christmas story in Luke
1:5-56 through 2:1-20.
2. On
Christmas Eve, start a tradition of taking family communion together as a way
to remember Christ’s death and resurrection.
3. Set
up a nativity scene in your home or front yard as a reminder of the true meaning
of Christmas. Put up Christ centered decorations and ornaments through your
home, and place lights on your Christmas tree to symbolize the “light of the
world.”
4. Play
Christ-centered Christmas music as a way to focus on Christ and the miracle of
His birth. Secular Christmas music is fun, but too much of it can take the true
meaning away from Christmas.
5. Attend
a Christmas service at your church, and worship the Lord for sending His son
into the world for us.
6. Send
Christmas cards with a spiritual message. This can be a great way to share the
birth of Jesus Christ with others.
7. Make
a birthday cake for Jesus. You can even sing happy birthday to Jesus.
8. Find
ways to give back to others by your time and/or resources. You can even show
the love of Christ to your neighbors by baking them homemade treats.
9. Keep
focused on what Christ has done in your life by writing or saying (5) things
that you are grateful for daily.
10. Watch
the Nativity Story and choose other Christmas movies that you can watch that incorporates
Christian values.
As we enter into this season of celebrating the birth
of our Lord and Savior, may you be reminded to include Christ into your
family’s festivities. Teach your children and talk to them about why Christmas
is celebrated. When I was growing up all I really knew about Christmas was Santa
and getting gifts. Santa was the main focus and what I would get for Christmas.
I went to Christmas Eve mass with my family, but we never discussed why we did
that and the importance of going. It was not until I received Christ as my
Savior in my twenties, that I came to realize the meaning of Christmas.
What about you? What Christmas traditions do you have
that keep Christ at the center? Share yours with us.
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