That's right it's Christmas time already! As of the publishing of this post it is only 14 days away! Christmas hasn't always been the day Christians celebrated Jesus' birthday. In fact, many believe the actual day of His birth is actually sometime in the Spring. The day we now know as Christmas was a pagan holiday celebrating winter solstice. It's no wonder there are so many competing ways to celebrate. Well, that and it's Jesus, so Satan would love to get the attention off the Savior of the world. With so many different holiday traditions, how do you know how to honor "the reason for the season," Jesus.
Advent Calendar
Advent calendars have been around for a long time. They tend to come from more liturgical churches, but they are a great way to focus on what is important. When I was a kid I remember my mom setting out the five candles nested in a Christmas wreath associated with advent. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas we would light one candle until Christmas day when we would light the final candle. I didn't know the significance of the candles at the time, but as an adult my family did this one year too. The advent calendar we used had a devotional that went with it and we were able to teach our kids the significance of what each of the lighted candles represented in Jesus.
Here is an Advent devotional similar to the one we used
Birthday cake
I don't know when this tradition started in our house, but ever since our daughter was little my wife baked a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning we sing happy birthday to Jesus and read a Jesus focused book before we open presents.
Serve someone
For my birthday I want others to do what I want to do. The same may be true for Jesus (even if it may not be the actual day He was born). If we love God we are to love others. One way we show others that we love them in the way Jesus did is to serve them. This can take many forms, but find someone to serve this Christmas. Soup kitchens and that sort of thing are filled with people who want to do something for others on Christmas so that may not be the best way. Think outside the box. Be creative. There is a whole world out there of people to serve.
Attend a Christmas Eve Service
Churches all over the world hold Christmas Eve services that are dedicated to setting our hearts and our minds on Jesus. Ours is no different. Christmas Eve. 6:00 PM. Hope to see you there.
This isn't just Christmas Eve, but for years the Champion Center in Tacoma, WA has done a play called Scrooge in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It may not be happening this year due to COVID-19, however. But if and when it is in production again, it could just become your family's new Christmas tradition. It is so well done, but it really focuses on the giving aspect of Christmas. It is fun for the whole family.
Focus on the Family's website has a page dedicated to giving people ideas for what to do to focus on Jesus for Christmas. Click here to view that page for more ideas to use in your house this Christmas.
What else do you do to keep Jesus in the center of Christmas? I'd love to read your comments. Merry Christmas!
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