Let's Keep Christ in Christmas.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily 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 daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Let’s take a look as some ideas to keep Christ as the center of our Christmas season.

1) Give God a very special gift just from you to him.

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.

Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending 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 the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20.

Consider reading “The Christmas Story” with your family and discussing it together.

3) Send Christmas cards and a letter that convey a spiritual message.

This is an easy way to share your faith at Christmas time.

4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas.

Do you have an elderly neighbor in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, involve your whole family and see how happy you can make someone this Christmas.

5) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family.

Jesus taught us to serve by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (NIV) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to members of your family is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider giving a back rub to your spouse, washing your brother or sister’s car, cleaning out a closet for your mother, doing the dishes without being asked. Make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessings multiply.

6) Write a Christmas letter to a missionary.

Many missionaries are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Write a special Christmas letter to a missionary of your choice, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord. 

7) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family and pray and. Read a few Bible verses and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas.

8) Set up a Nativity scene in your home.

If you don't have a Nativity, here are ideas to help you make your own Nativity scene:

9) Attend a Christmas Eve church service together with your family.

  

That is just a few ideas that we can each do to help keep Christ in Christmas. Why not start today seeing what we can do to keep the true meaning of Christmas going around the World.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the great gift You gave us. We pray that this Christmas season we would do everything we can to keep You the center of all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.