How to Keep Christ in Christmas … Don't become stressed and over-worked planning and preparing for this most blessed holiday Share on XLuke 10:41-42 The Message (MSG)
41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
How Do We Keep Christ in Christmas?
In our anticipation of Christmas, we often become stressed and over-worked planning and preparing for this most blessed holiday. Somehow, in the mix, we end up forgetting what it’s all about. I want to do whatever it takes to find Christ in Christmas so that others will see Him too.
Here are a few ideas I have that will help us throw out the unnecessary and help keep the focus on Christ this year.
First of all, Limit the Decorations
We’ve found that we can get in the spirit with very little decor. We’ve limited our decorations to a small tree, a wreath on the door, and one special seasonal spot in the living room (the mantel if you have one.) We have a little cubby in the entertainment center which used to hold a TV. My hubby installed a mirror in the back of it and this is now our one place to put some seasonal decorations.) We have little or no cost and little or no headaches getting it done! Make you decorations things that will remind you of Christ such as a nativity scene.
How about a family tradition of decorating the tree? Try this idea :
For every ornament placed on the tree be able to relate it to Christ somehow or a prayer for a person or nation.
Secondly, Limit the Activities
Choose Christmas activities that include the whole family and that keep Christ in Christmas. Attend a religious Christmas concert or presentation. Participate in selfless projects where you are showing Christ to others. Such as serving at the homeless shelter or even caroling. My family went caroling to friends and neighbors every Christmas Eve and delivered Cinnamon rolls. What fond memories I have of this annual event.
We had a family friend who limited attending Christmas parties to ONE for the season! Some activities are unavoidable, such as school concerts or workplace events, but think of the time and money saved if you stop attending every party for which you receive an invitation. Give your regrets and move on. This will give you so much more family time and reduce all that rushing around trying to get places.
In Contrast, Add Family Advent Devotions
When I was growing up, we always took time for advent devotions. We added a piece of the nativity each night through Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, We read the final devotion and placed baby Jesus in the creche BEFORE passing out gifts. This is still a vivid memory for me. I do my best to read advent devotions with our family every year.
Ann Voskamp’s Unwrapping the Greatest Gift {affiliate link} is a wonderful book fo advent using the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree teaches us how God had a plan from the very beginning of time. You will read about the people in Jesus’ ancestry beginning with Adam and Eve. The theme uses the scripture from Isaiah 11 “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot.”
Ann gives the scriptures and beautifully tells the story with family discussion questions and an activity for the day. If you do these activities, Christ will certainly be kept in Christmas.
Join us as we Keep Christ in Christmas!
Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 says Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
That is why my we, Mandy and Michele, have decided to join together to hold each other up and at the same time, we hope that you are lifted up as well. We will share about chronic pain issues and raising children with ADHD, Things we’ve learned about leaving a legacy, and then some fun and laughter along the way as well.
We will be sharing about how God helps us through the worst of trials and the best of days. We hope that you will sign up for our newsletter.
I fight putting decorations out every year, but my kids motivate me, and what I’ve discovered is that once I get started, I enjoy it… provided I don’t try to do it all at once. When I give myself permission to do it slowly, I like it a whole lot better! thanks for your post!
I agree once you get started it becomes enjoyable. Now that the kids are grown I have really made things simple. It doesn’t nearly have the meaning without the kids. Maybe someday when there are grandchildren around I’ll up my game again. Thanks for stopping by.
Great suggestions! I especially like the idea of keeping decorations small and relating each tree decoration to a prayer.
I have always liked praying over each ornament when they are put up. I can usually relate the ornament to a person or a need pretty easily. Thanks for dropping by