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| Merry Christmas & Happy New Year |
The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on "How to Become a Christian." If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays"!
Keeping Christ in Christmas means to daily reveal the character, love and spirit of Christ who dwells in you, allowing these traits to shine thru your actions. Here are some simple ways to keep Christ as the central focus of your life during this Christmas season.
1. Give God one very special gift from you:
Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.
Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you've given a gift back to yourself!
Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian who survived extreme brutality in a German concentration camp after rescuing many Jews from certain death during the Nazi Holocaust, was later able to say, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."
Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending some time with God daily. Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up. Make this your most important gift of the season!
2. Set aside a special time to read and discuss the Christmas story (Luke 1:5-5
6:2:1-20) with your family or friends.
If you don't have a Nativity, this year may be a good year to introduce one. Gather your kids or grandkids around and explain the characters in it.
4. Plan a “good will” project this Christmas
Do you know of an elderly neighbor or family member in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, then involve your family or friends to help you meet that need and watch how happy you can make someone this Christmas!
I know of one of our LIFE Groups that is going out on Christmas Eve day to hand out practical hygiene items to the homeless such as lotion, soap, combs, etc. along with giving some love and good conversation! God bless you guys!
(Our Blanket/Coat and Children’s Book drives have been promoted for this purpose, as well.)
5. Gather a group to go Christmas caroling at a nursing home, hospital or a shelter:
Another one of our LIFE Groups (including the children) already went caroling at a senior home. The LIFE Group’s joy of serving was exuberant!
6. Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family or to a friend:
Jesus taught us to serve others by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to someone is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider running an errand, cleaning out a closet or making a favorite dish. Just make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessing multiply!
7. Send hand written Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:
This is an easy way to share your personal faith at Christmas time. If you've already bought the reindeer or snowmen cards—no problem! Just write a special Bible verse and include a personal message with each card!
8. Attend our Christmas Eve Celebration service together with your family or friends:
If you are alone this Christmas or don't have any family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you at this beautiful service.
9. Set aside time for prayer and devotions on Christmas morning:
Before opening the gifts, take just a few minutes to gather together in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss the true meaning of Christmas.
10. Give an end-of-year monetary gift to your church or one of their missionaries.
This idea is dear to my heart because Gayla and I spent three years as “home missionaries” raising our own support. Receiving a Christmas card with a monetary gift always felt like opening a priceless gift on Christmas morning, no matter what day it was! Many missionaries are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Along with a monetary gift include a special note, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord. Trust me—it’s a gift that’ll mean more than you can ever imagine!
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