Yesterday we paused to gaze at the heart of this season.
I believe Jesus is the heart of Christmas. You may not believe what I believe. That’s okay. But, like I mentioned yesterday, I invite you to give Jesus a chance, and I encourage you to find out for yourself the peace that comes from Him. Even if we don’t believe the same, I invite you to continue with me through this series. We’ll be branching out in all sorts of directions and on different subjects, as we go about rediscovering Christmas together.
Today we’re getting practical, as we share and encourage one another. Today we’re follow the definition of Christmas I shared yesterday.
We’re zeroing in on keeping Christ in the center of Christmas.
I probably don’t need to tell you this can be easier said than done. As I’ve mentioned previously, in past years I let my focus slip and Jesus ended up taking a back seat to everything else in the Christmas season. I missed Christmas, and I vowed back then I would never allow that to happen again.
Yesterday I took to Twitter, and I posed the question,
“What’s one thing you do to keep Christ in Christmas?”
The responses were wonderful. Some are below:
Tracy @thewritertracy – “Every year my family watches The Nativity story together. A great reminder of what the season is about & what God did for us.”
Larushka @JennAmyMoore – “Teach my kids the true meaning. Not materialism or “Santa” but Christ. Story of his birth, Isaiah’s prophesy.
Tara @diakonia78 – Advent is my fave season. This year I’m participating in an Advent devo with a prompt word for each day, and I’m loving it.
Stephanie @s2thomp – Even though my kids are teens, we still read the scripture from the Advent calendar at dinner every day. The Advent calendar is felt made by my mother-in-law. Revisiting it every year reminds us of our narrative.
Rachel @RachelELundy – We celebrate Advent each Sunday evening. We light the candle(s), read Scripture, and pray. And then celebrate with cookies!
Carol @19Jael97 – We used to read an Arnold Ytreeide book every year to the kids.
Melinda @mghollis38 – I’m reading Ann Voskamp’s book of Advent this year.
Jeanne @JeanneTakenaka – We try to establish Advent readings in the evenings. I’m learning to say no to more so I can say yes to the best. The best being family time, making memories and helping our boys (and ourselves) turn our hearts toward Him.
Christina @ChristinaHubs – We try to buy meaningful gifts and keep a slower pace. Not always successful but gets better every year.
Wow! Aren’t these great ideas?
Sharing what we do may be the help someone else needs today.
Friend, it’s your turn. How do you go about keeping Christ in Christmas? Is there a specific activity you do each year? A specific Bible passage you cling to during the season? Do you read a certain book or take a certain daily action? Do you observe the season of Advent in a particular way?
When our children were young we read through a helpful and truth-filled resource from Bible Study Fellowship. It’s called Teaching Your Child the Christmas Story. I’ve linked to it here so you can use this wonderful tool also. Even though our children are now adults, I still use this for myself. The suggested readings are a perfect guide, and you choose if you rather read them daily or all at once. I believe you’ll enjoy reading the Christmas story, no matter if you go through it with your family, with your spouse, or by yourself.
Maybe it’s time to begin a new tradition, or if what you’re doing works for you, keep doing it.
There’s no chance of missing Christmas when we keep Christ in the center.
Thanks for hanging out with me for a few moments today.
Blessings!
Julie
Linking up with Crystal and Deb.
Great post, Julie. And some good suggestions!
I have no real choice but to go through the daily routine, without anything ‘special’ for the season, and concentrating on the mundane, and doing my best with it, seems to help keep me centered on Him.
#1 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/12/your-dying-spouse-240-and-god-is-still.html
Andrew, we both know that’s what’s most important… keeping centered on Him. I continue to pray for you, Barbara, and your amazing dogs. It’s a blessing to have you stop in, my friend.
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing how to make Christmas about the birthday Boy!
Hi Brooke! Thanks for coming over. Blessings to you!
Yes and amen, Julie! This is spot on. Thanks for sharing your faith boldly and with such care.
Hi Christina! Thank you for your kind words and for stopping over. Always a joy to have you here!
Loved how you incorporated all of our responses!
Thanks, Tara. I loved everyone’s ideas. So good!
I found a kids nativity story that I started reading to my children last night, and I hope to continue to read it to them every night until Christmas so they truly understand why we are celebrating. I want them to know that story and the angels, and shepherds, and wise men just as well as they know Santa Claus.
This sounds wonderful! What important truths you are teaching your children. These will last their lifetime and into eternity. I’ll pray God helps you carve out that time with them each night. I’m rejoicing in this with you!
Julie, what a clever way to approach keeping Christmas! It’s encouraging to see what others are actively doing and and challenge to discover more meaningful ways. Just loved this!
Crystal, thank you. I love how God can draw us together through our writing and our blogs. Thank you for hosting us each week for Fresh Market Friday. It’s always a joy to be a part of what you’re doing. God bless you this season and beyond!