Have you been tempted to lose the celebration of Christ’s birth in a swirl of fairy tales and merchandising? Have you trivialized the stunning miracle of God becoming human with toys, tinsel, and trips to the mall in a frenzy for Christmas morning?
You might have started strong with the weekly Advent readings but the tradition and dedication faded as the lists got longer and the days shorter. You are not alone. We have all been there:
– spreading clean sheets on guest beds,
– taping glittered paper edges just right to hide the gift, and
– getting those first pies in the oven.
You haven’t failed.
Here’s an easy, 10-minute idea for Christmas morning. You can still make Christmas memorable and about Jesus.
Gather around the tree as usual. But before the kids tear into the carefully-taped paper, start with the most important gift. Designate a gift drop spot as Jesus’ place.
Guide your family in first honoring Jesus for His willingness to come to earth. Remind them that He came knowing His destiny was a cruel, brutal death.
Read the story in Luke 2:1-21 or Matthew 2:1-12. Point out that those who first worshiped Christ came to Him in faith before He had accomplished anything on earth. It was not because of the miracles He was yet to perform or any gifts He might give. They simply worshiped Him because He had come, as promised. He was the long-awaited Messiah.
God desires that, like the magi and shepherds, we bow before Him and surrender our hearts and lives to Him. Explain to your family that Jesus wants us for Christmas!
Encourage everyone gathered this Christmas morning to again give their hearts to Jesus. Have strips of paper ready for anyone who’d like to write or draw their gift to Jesus. Allow time for them to drop the paper gift in Jesus’ spot.
Save all these letters, notes, and gifts to Jesus as a valuable record of the growing faith in the hearts of each family member. The toys and trinkets will fade but hearts given to Him grow in value to become as Peter said, “more precious than gold” (I Peter 1:7).
We hope you and your family have a wonderful and memorable Christmas!
Barbara and the Ever Thine Home Team
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What a beautiful way to begin Christmas day! In recent years a “shepherd’s fire” ends our Christmas day. On Christmas night, after the gifts, after the dishes are done, after dark, we have a small fire in our fire pit and read the Christmas story of the Shepherds and maybe even sing a Christmas carol. Living in northern Montana means we bundle up and we usually don’t linger, but for a few peaceful moments we imagine what it must have been like for the Shepherds, and we reflect on the greatest gift. Although our toes may be cold, our hearts are warmed.
Although this is after Christmas Day, I am so blessed this morning by your blog I happened to read/stumble across. Especially the scripture of 1 Peter 1:7. I have been going through a particularly difficult trial for a year and a-half that just won’t seem to give no matter how much I pray for this to get better (or, ultimately, go away altogether as I would prefer!). This, along with other pressures and trials we all go through in this life, God has given me moments of grace in this journey, but in reading this passage of scripture early this morning, after a particularly difficult few days of feeling quite low – well, just down-right depressed and hopeless – this is a nugget of gold; strength for the journey, water for a thirsty soul, and joyful hope for the future. I thank you, and I thank our loving God for this! Blessings to you!
I LOVE this website and your blog! Your ideas are so Christ focused and God honoring! I only wish you had been around when I was raising my kids. But alas, Barbara you were busy raising your own!
Keep the ideas coming!