Keeping Christ in Christmas: 8 Practical Ways
We recently pulled out the Christmas boxes. Surrounded by a hodgepodge of fake pine, glitter, and the faint aroma of cinnamon spice, I reminded myself of the importance of keeping Christ in Christmas. It’s easy to get so caught up in holiday festivities that we overlook the reason for celebrating.
Keeping Christ in Christmas
If the idea of focusing on Jesus at Christmas resonates with you—and if you want less stress and deeper peace this Christmas—here are eight suggestions to help you.
8 Tips for Keeping Christ in Christmas
1. Keep Christ in Christmas by slowing down.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts or decorating your home, aim to complete these tasks slowly. Resist the temptation to rush.
Take time to inhale the scent of pine as you put up the tree. Embrace the nostalgia as you sort through the decorations.
Instead of rushing to wrap gifts, turn on the Christmas music, make yourself a warm beverage, and try to enjoy the process.
We keep Christ in Christmas when we resist the pull of stress and aim to be fully engaged in our moments.
2. Embrace acts of kindness toward others.
Christmas is a wonderful time to shift our focus toward others.
Color a smile for a soldier at colorasmile.org. Fill a box for a child at Operation Christmas Child.
Donate to a local coat or food drive as you carry the love of Christ to others this Christmas.
3. Begin keeping Christ in Christmas by embracing Advent traditions.
A few years ago, a friend mentioned that her family was enjoying the practice of weekly lighting a candle in anticipation of Christmas.
We were new parents at the time. I was coming off a decade of almost losing the wonder of the Christmas season. I’d been so busy with my career and ministry that there were years I hardly decorated the house.
My friend commented that the simple act of lighting a new candle each week was helping them anticipate a Christ-centered Christmas.
The next year, I spent five dollars on candles and a wreath. Our family began the practice of lighting the Advent candles in our home. We haven’t missed a year since. For a guide to weekly readings, check out this link.
4. Read from the Bible daily during the Christmas season.
We keep Jesus in Christmas when we keep his Word central.
During the month of December, I read portions of Scripture to the kids before dinner each night. We reflect on the miracle that God came to dwell among us.
Keep Christ in Christmas by reading Scripture daily leading up to Christmas.
5. Attend a Christmas worship service.
If you attend a local church, make it a priority to attend a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. If you don’t attend any church regularly, find one in your community. A Christmas worship service can help you as you move toward keeping Christ in Christmas.
6. Throw a birthday party for Jesus.
On Christmas morning, begin by throwing a birthday party for Jesus. Light a candle and stick it in a doughnut or stack of pancakes. Remind yourself of the reason you are celebrating.
7. Make a gratitude list.
Not long ago, while cleaning a mess made by our kids, God reminded me of a friend who lost her child. This friend once said, “What I wouldn’t give for one more mess to clean.”
Reflecting on her words as I cleaned suddenly felt like an honor more than a begrudging task. It felt like a gift.
Keep your focus on Christ by giving thanks for the tasks that usually cause you to grumble this year. As you wrap the presents, think of the family who doesn’t have money to put a single gift beneath the tree. As you clean your home, thank God for the people who make the messes and fill your life.
Resist the urge to grumble by giving thanks for God’s hidden gifts tucked into even the most challenging parts of your daily work.
8. Turn off the TV and create something.
A movie can be a healthy way to unwind; however, zoning out in front of the TV for hours can lead to a rut that’s hard to escape.
God is the Lord of all creation. When you create, whether it’s a simple piece of artwork, a hand-written note, a new recipe, or a painted wall, God will align your heart with his heart.
Creating something new can be an act of celebration if it’s done with a mind fixed on God’s goodness. Return to childhood and delve into a Christmas craft, play a game, or make a snowman in the yard.
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Our house is aglow in colorful lights, and the scent of vanilla wafts through the living room on an ongoing basis. It feels like a month-long party, and we hope to keep it going long after the decorations return to their boxes.
Read here for eight ways to keep Christ in Christmas this year. #Christmas #Jesus Share on XA Devotional to Help You With Keeping Christ in Christmas
Would you like to step out of the rushed pace of this season and have deeper peace as you prepare for Christmas? Still My Soul will help you create space to connect with God in meaningful ways as you prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Christ next month.
Every day of Advent, you will be gently invited to slow down, be more present within your moments, and cultivate gratitude instead of stress. Get your eBook right here for just $3.99. This payment will help offset the cost of keeping this blog running. I sincerely appreciate your support!
These Books Make Great Christmas Gifts
Additionally, my teen daughter, Bekah, and I are passionate about helping moms and daughters grow closer while connecting with God. We have written two mother-daughter devotionals together. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section after each devotion.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, purity, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. We will help you!
Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by these books! You can buy them as paperbacks or get your free Kindle Unlimited eBooks on Amazon right here.
A Book for Every Christian Woman
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book for free on Kindle Unlimited as an ebook or for 12.99 in print here. (If you do not have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can sign up for a free three-month trial.)
