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Making Him the Reason
By
This time of year makes me giddy.
I love everything about it…
- The smells
- The sales
- The decorations
- The chilly weather
- The food
- The gifts
I’d be perfectly fine to live in a state of Christmas-time all year long. As a matter of fact, it is my happy place.
My kids are the same way.
We have holiday music going 24/7 in the house and it’s all we are listening to as we drive. We’ve set the DVR to tape all the Christmas shows and watch at least one each night. The house is decked out and gifts have already begun to make an appearance under the tree.
What an honor to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
But… are we?
- Are we taking the time to thank God for bringing His Son into the world?
- Are we sitting at the feet of Jesus and remembering why this season is important?
- Are we spending time each day thinking about the miracle birth that changed the course of life forever?
If I were to be completely candid with you, I’d have to say… no.
To be honest, I have to be very deliberate to keep Jesus at the center of the holiday because it’s so easy to get caught up in the “world’s” celebration.
Sisters, how are you doing with that?
Listen, we have such a short time to lay a strong foundation of faith in our kids. If we aren’t being intentional in modeling and encouraging it… we are leaving our children to the mercy of the world’s influences.
Here are some ideas on keeping Jesus as the reason for the season:
- Read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20 as a family.
- Use Scripture for more meaning…
- Christmas tree star (Mat 2:2 NIV)
- Candy Cane (Isaiah 1:18 NIV, Isaiah 53:5 NKJV and Psalm 34:8 NIV)
- Christmas Lights (John 1:5)
- Christmas Cards (Luke 2:10 NKJV)
- Set up a Nativity scene in your home.
- Adopt a child or family to buy gifts for and have your kids help pick-out and/or purchase items.
- Attend Christmas Eve service or other holiday productions at your church.
- Help your kids write Christmas cards to missionaries or those in the military.
- Find cookie cutters with crosses or hearts for your Christmas cookies.
- Watch movies that talk mention Jesus’ birth (Veggie Tales are wonderful).
- Read books each night about the first Christmas.
- Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and throw Him a party!
Do you have ideas that you can share with us?
In all you do, keep reminding your children that Jesus really IS the reason for this season!
Thank you for the fantastic ways to keep the focus on Christ.
Awesome ideas – We have the little box set of what God wants for Christmas – it can be read for a week – opening up gifts for a week – or in an evening/afternoon – takes 15-20 minutes to open and read/discuss all at once – cute and fun. Also – this year we purchased an advent wreath with candle and I printed out a book that has readings for each day of advent – which starts today…
– I hope to be committed to daily readings… I love that you are challenging us parents to not only keep Christmas about Jesus for our kids’ sake – but also for ours!
Such a great reminder! To help keep her (and my) focus, I got my daughter the LIttle People Nativity when she was really little. She LOVES it… in fact we never put it away this past year (she is now 5). I also got her the Playmobil Nativity set this year. LOTS of little tiny pieces but she really likes it too.
Jeanelle… appreciate you taking the time to read what God laid on my heart!
Amanda… what an “intentional” mom you are. You so richly bless your kids and are creating a generational blessing. Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Patty… We have the Veggie Tales nativity scene, and even though my kids are 9 and 10, they still play with it! Good for YOU for bringing those into your home. What a wonderful mom you are!
Just ordered The Advent Jesse Tree (recommended by a friend), and plan to be intentional this year! Thanks for the encouragement. I love reading most everything you write.
Shawn… You go girl! And thanks for your encouraging words. I appreciate you!