Each year in Christian circles there’s usually some heated discussion about Christmas. Conversations about how the religious holiday has become too secular, overly centered on shopping, and no longer about Jesus’ birth. While most Christians agree with these issues, it can be hard to figure out what to do about it.
How, exactly, are we supposed to put Christ back in Christmas? Especially if you’ve spent your time leading up to today knee-deep in decorations, cookie-baking, and struggling to put up the Christmas tree. We’ve come up with 6 simple things you can do to keep your focus on Jesus today – no theology degree required!
This is not a mandatory to-do list, but rather a few ideas to remind yourself, your family and your friends about the real reason for the season. It will help you enjoy the holiday on a deeper, more meaningful level.
There are some surprisingly simple ways to honor the holiness of Jesus’ birth.
Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus
What better way to honor the reality of Jesus’s birth with a birthday cake? This is a perfect way to get young children excited about the true meaning of the holiday. Kids understand the basic meaning of a birthday and what the cake represents. This will help the Christmas story come alive for them in a tangible way. Christmas time is also about spending time with your loved ones and growing closer with them. Baking is a fun way to spend time as a family unit and grow your relationship that much deeper. Make it a family tradition to bake a cake for Jesus.
Go to Church
This one might seem pretty obvious to most people, but it still needs to be said. Even if you’re not a regular church-goer during the year, Christmas is a great time to reconnect with your faith, listen to the sermons and the music, and contemplate the true message of Christmas. The church is a great way to get yourself grounded in the faith and remember why Jesus is the reason for the season. You can meet other Christians and connect with them as God’s children. Make some new friends and see how they celebrate Christ during the holiday.
Read the Bible
We all think we know the Christmas story. But when is the last time you really read what the Bible has to say about the holiday? Have you ever read the different version of it, from Luke chapter 2 or Matthew 1 chapter 1 for example? Reading the story straight from the Bible will help refresh your memory of all the little details. Find a Bible devotional to go along with your reading, so you can get the most out of it.
Listen to Christian Music
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, it’s likely you will hear the melody of “Silent Night “or “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” just about everywhere you go. Department stores, the radio, and the like blast the music to get people in the spirit. Just reflecting on the words can be a quick way to turn your thoughts back to Jesus’ birth.
Since there is so much beautiful Christmas music, from traditional Christmas carols to new music from Christian artists, make sure to pull out those CDs or stream some of those songs today.
Reconnect With Someone
Just as God gave the gift of His Son, you too can use your presence as a gift to someone. Those who are alone or sick this season shouldn’t be forgotten. If your loved one is far away and you can’t make it there physically, give them a call.
Jesus came to forgive our sins, and we, too, are obligated to forgive. Prayerfully consider who and how to forgive, whether it’s a person you need to ask for forgiveness, or a private moment between you and God. Forgiving someone can be a difficult task, but it lifts a huge weight off of your shoulders and makes you feel better.
It also gives you opportunities to connect again with people you once really cared about. Christmastime is a perfect opportunity for this, because people generally are welcoming of others.
Say a Prayer
Share a Christmas prayer from your heart or find one that speaks to you.
Here are three short prayers that might work for you.
A prayer for peace
“Prince of Peace, hope originates with You. As we remember Your humble entrance into our world today, we ask that Your peace dwells within us, around us, and through us. Help us to be peacemakers, to bring light into the darkness, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
A prayer for unity
“Father, believers are united today by the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Help us to love each other as You have loved us. Make this love overflow to our neighbors and anyone. You place in front of us. Fill this gathering with the warmth of fellowship and a deep sense of belonging to Your family. May the love born in a manger continue to grow in each of us, drawing us closer to You.”
A prayer pointing to God’s presence
“Lord, as we celebrate Your birth, we look forward with hope to the year ahead. We don’t know what it will bring, but we trust that You will be with us each step of the way. May the joy and wonder of Christmas stick with us beyond today, reminding us that You are Emmanuel, God with us. Help us to walk in faith, to serve with love, and to live in hope.”
The majority of this posts came from beliefnet.com’s 21 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas.
