Keep Christ in Christmas

What if we did something different this Christmas?

Another Christmas season, another month of social media timelines displaying pictures with Santa Claus and excited children eagerly awaiting the return of jolly ol' St. Nick. 

What would our world look like if we instilled this type of hype around the very REAL return of Jesus?

What if our children could recite Bible stories as well as they are able to recite the rules of elf on the shelf? What would happen if Christmas was less about commercialized celebrations and more about CHRIST? 

This is in no way to condemn or legalistically point fingers

Rather, it's simply to ask ourselves questions and seek out God's desires for our lives - Christmas included. Am I honoring Christ's birthday by sharing the true meaning of Christmas with my children? Do they understand why we celebrate? Do they know that Jesus is indeed coming back?! Do I personally get wrapped up in the decorations and making gingerbread houses and adding a tree to every room and garland to every shelf? Do I display lights and ornaments and Santa and snowmen galore? Then set out  one lonely baby in a manger? Or do my decorations reflect the great significance of the One who holds my heart? Am I seeking out ways to share Jesus with everyone that walks past my house or enters into my home? Will they meet a winter wonderland or will they be greeted by Christ? Will my Christmas songs sound of reindeer and rocking around the Christmas tree or will we sing from the soul - Oh Come Let Us Adore Him and Mary Did You Know?

There are a million fun and subtle ways to be distracted from Jesus this Christmas. My prayer for all of us is this - that we would intentionally strive to keep Christ in Christmas!

Ideas:

• Include Jesus in everything! Are you participating in elf on the shelf? Show your elf reading the Bible, worshiping at the manger, leaving notes about Jesus. Make it a month of learning about Jesus' birth!
• CLICK HERE FOR WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS AND PRINTABLES FROM MYJOYFILLEDLIFE.COM!
• Read a Chapter of Luke a day during the month of December. There are 24 chapters, so on Christmas morning you and your family will wake up with a fresh understanding of  the true meaning of Christmas.
• CLICK HERE JOIN THE YOUR PRAYING FRIEND FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT DEDICATED TO READING LUKE TOGETHER 
• Look for ways to get involved in giving back. Operation Christmas child is a great resource, but if you don't plan early you'll miss it! The local church should have other opportunities on their websites. Our gym even has an angel tree for children in foster care.  The opportunities are endless. 
• Shop with Christian owned businesses! You are going to be buying gifts - why not shop with companies that share your values? Companies that support causes you believe in? Companies that tithe from their income? When you shop with Christian businesses you are taking care of your brothers and sisters, as well as supporting the local church through their tithe! Shop with Your Praying Friend

The gift of Christmas is not in presents, but in HIS presence

If you enjoyed today's message please tell someone about Your Praying Friend, but more importantly - tell everyone about Jesus!