This is a busy time of year. Very likely you’re preparing for your Christmas celebration. And perhaps you’re even thinking about the upcoming New Year Fast. You can learn more about the Daniel Fast by clicking this link.
As you continue to prepare for the celebrations that you’ll experience at Christmas, I encourage you to be intentional about keeping Christ at the center of the season.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I’m sure you too are well aware of how Christmas has become so focused on commercialism and winter tales. And gift giving is obviously a focal point of this celebration.
However, more and more we’re seeing Jesus being pushed out of this very special season. What a joy it is for believers to acknowledge the amazing gift that God gave the world when He sent His only Son to us.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the fun, excitement, and joy of this season shared with family, friends and loved ones. However, I also know how important it is to keep Christ at the center of His celebration. And as we do, everything and everyone becomes so much more meaningful.
So I wanted to share with you just a few ideas that you could use, starting today, to make sure that Christ is at the center of your celebration.
Five Ideas You Can Use to Keep Christ in Christmas
Number One: Fill your heart with the truth of God’s Word. Open your Bible and read the Gospel of John 1:1-18. Take into your heart the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let those words soak into your understanding. Acknowledge who Christ has always been. Ponder the words you’re reading and let the truth take up residence in your heart.
And then turn to the Gospel of Luke 2:1-20. Meditate on this stunning description of that morning when the Christ Child came into the earth. Use your imagination. Picture the scene in your mind. And think about the humble and sacrificial act that occurred on that Christmas morning.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Number 2: This is the time for giving of gifts. So think about all the gifts that you’ll be sharing with those you love during the Christmas celebration. And then consider choosing a gift on behalf of Jesus that you could share with someone in need.
Love, as the world had never known, entered the earth realm that Christmas morning in Bethlehem. And now you, as one who knows that love, can enter into the lives of others by giving from your heart to theirs.
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
One of the favorite Christmas traditions that I shared with my young children was taking them Christmas shopping and purchasing special gifts for homeless children. It brought my children closer to the truth and observant of the needs of others. They got in touch with the reality of what it would be like for a child to not have a home. They learned they could only purchase gifts that a child could carry in their pocket or in a small bag. To this day, my children, who are now grown, remember this as a very special and meaningful part of their Christmas celebration.
Number 3: Use the power of music to keep Christ coming into your heart through this season. Create a Christ-centered Christmas playlist that you can listen to in your home, in your car, or during times when you’re out and about running errands.
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Listed below are some of my favorite pieces of music that serve as reminders and acknowledgement of Christ and the Christmas story.
What Child is This
O Holy Night
Silent Night
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Joy to the World
Mary, Did You Know?
Number 4: Watch the Nativity Story movie. You can find it through Amazon or other channels. Again, open your heart to the miracle and the sacrificial gift that took place when the Creator of everything humbled Himself and came into the world as a newborn babe. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and to fill your heart with the inspiration and faith-building reality that took place in Bethlehem.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Number 5: As you plan your celebration meal for Christmas Eve or Day, consider baking a lovely birthday cake to celebrate Jesus’s birth. Rather than singing happy birthday to our Lord, encourage friends and family members to give a word of thanks to the Lord for the gift , the most precious gift, of Him coming into the world.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.
In your own heart during this time that can be so busy, hectic, and distracting, purpose to keep Jesus at the center of all you do. Every morning thank Him for coming into the world. Give thanks for the amazing ways that He blesses you. And remain in an attitude of thanksgiving as you join in the love-filled and joyful time of Christmas.
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Please bless others with your ideas and experiences of keeping Christ at the center of Christmas. Leave your comments below . . . and share with post with others as we all prepare our hearts of this glorious celebration when Love so sacrificially entered the world.