3 Simple Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas this Year
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s filled with shopping, presents, decorations, the possibility of snow (yes, please!), fun movies, family traditions, hot chocolate, and most importantly…..celebrating the birth of my Savior.
Jesus, the Reason for the Season.
The Hope of the World sent from heaven to rescue and restore us.
However, with all the excitement I can get caught up in the busyness and fun, leaving Jesus last on my list.
How can we keep Christ at the Center of Christmas?
I’m asking God that question.
Why? Because honestly, I know it’s not easy.
All things Christmas are vying for my attention and let’s face it, I can get a little sidetracked by it.
If it’s not the celebrating, it’s the busyness. The to-do list gets long and Jesus gets pushed to the bottom.
That is so not my heart, y’all!
I want to cozy up on my couch, open my heart and my Bible, and commune with the One who gave me life.
The One who set me free from bondage.
The One who loves me unconditionally, even when I’m not lovable.
It can be so easy to forget all He’s done. But this year, I don’t want to forget. I want the constant reminder to focus on Him. After all, isn’t He the reason we are celebrating? Here are three ways I plan to keep Jesus, the Reason for the Season.
How to Keep Christ in Christmas this Year
Visit with Christ all throughout the day
I like to wake up early and start my day reading the Bible.
But the truth is, some days it’s just not possible.
I wake up late, someone loses a shoe, the dog runs wild around the house….not every day is utopia in our house.
In the past, I’ve gotten irritated by the disruption in my morning routine. Yet I’m realizing that I need to be more flexible with myself and the change in schedules.
If I don’t spend 30 minutes with Him in the morning, He’s not offended.
In fact, He invites me to commune with Him all throughout the day— for any length of time. I don’t have to be locked into a fixed schedule for a set amount of time.
Do I love my normal routine? Of course! But it doesn’t have to be the only way.
I find visiting with God throughout the day helps me to stay more connected to Him.
I ask Him the questions I would usually ask myself.
Lord, what should I make for dinner? God, how do I handle this situation?
It becomes more of a relationship than a checklist.
This simple step will not only help us focus on Christ during Christmas but all year long!
Be grateful every day
There have been many days where I wake up with a sense of frustration about the day ahead.
Rather than seeing what God can do, oftentimes I only see what I can do.
I compare my strength against the obstacles ahead, which usually leads to complaining.
I grumble about the way things are going, the laundry I haven’t completed, the dishes that are in the sink, and the dinner I still need to cook. My negative attitude can quickly lead to self-pity and ungratefulness.
He can change my circumstances in a matter of seconds.
My attitude, on the other hand, requires a surrendering of my will.
When I choose an attitude of gratitude, I’m drawn into God’s inner courts, where I find peace, wisdom, love, and rest.
I find everything I need to get through the day.
Read a scripture a Day
I tend to be an overachiever.
If I read a scripture I feel like I need to read the entire chapter.
I’m quickly learning a beautiful lesson: God is much more concerned with my heart than my performance.
I picked up a tip from Lysa Terkeurst in one of her online teachings.
She suggested picking one verse to read, rather than trying to tackle an entire chapter. So I began a habit of choosing one verse a day and digging deeper.
I found that during that time, I gained so much insight from God…not just about that scripture, but how it applied to my life.
Now that you have a few tips to get you started, I want to share one more resource that I think will help you this Christmas!
This year I’m encouraging all my friends (that includes you!) to join me for a 25 Day Challenge to Keep Christ in Christmas. I’ll share daily scriptures, encouragement, and practical tips to help prepare our homes for a Christ-centered atmosphere. We’ll start on December 1st and go all the way through Christmas. Once you sign up, everything will be delivered straight to your email. I can’t wait to begin this journey with you!
Hi Alisa! It truly is important to “remain” in the the season we’re celebrating Him, isn’t it? I love how you’re venturing into Christmas with Christ in sight. Visiting via #testimonyTuesday.
Thanks, Kristi! You are so right! It’s easy to just go through the motions and forget why we’re celebrating! I’m so excited to be intentional this year!
I agree! Keeping Jesus at the center of Christmas doesn’t just happen. The many extra things to do and calendar events to attend often take over our time. I’ve also noticed that this time of year comes with a roller coaster of emotions for those who’s focus turns toward Christmas as it use to be or should be for families who have experienced loss. For some, it is the best of the worst time. I’m with you! Let’s do all we can to snuggle up closely to the reason for this season! The one who came to rescue us! One way that I keep Him at the front this season is by focusing on the many names of God one at a time with my students. Each day we place an ornament on our tree that represents one of ?His names. He is the Prince of Peace!
Very true, Laurie! Christmas can be hard for people who have experienced any kind of loss. It was very hard for me several years after my dad passed away. I love your idea of focusing on the many names of God! Do you make the ornaments? I may have to do that with my kids!! Thanks for that idea!
As parents of 2 angels one passed after birth in 2013 and the other a miscarriage in 2017 it is very difficult me as the mother not only trying to keep myself positive and in holiday spirit for my family as well, seeing this could become a positive thing always keeping Christ in Christmas is a great way to raise your children I know I was.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Ashley. I know the pain of miscarriage as well and it is so difficult to navigate through that grief. I pray that God would comfort you, give you peace, and restore your joy as you seek Him during the hard times.
isn’t it weird that at what should be the holiest time of year, we are so easily distracted by things that may be good, but are of lesser importance? i think that’s a trap of the enemy to keep us from focusing on the real meaning and living in awe of the birth of Jesus. thanks!
I agree, Karen! There’s so much that seeks our attention this time of year. We are bringing back simplicity this year and focusing on the basics- the Real Reason for the Season! Thanks for visiting!
Alisa, you stopped me in my tracks with you words about quality over quantity. I feel bad some days that my time in the Word is short with so much going on, but then I’m reminded that God is not standing over me, looking at His watch with scorn. The desire of His heart is that we truly meet during that time.
Thank you!
Yes, that is so true Michele! I struggle with that too. There is such a balance between the desire to spend time with God and the demand that we place on ourselves to follow through with it. I’m starting to learn that the desire can be fulfilled in a flexible way, not a “have to” sort of way! Thanks for visiting today!
Great challenge, Alisa! I tend to do the first step because I have littles and you know how that can go! It’s a relationship with Jesus, not a checklist. He wants our heart, and not just duty from us. Thanks for pointing us to Jesus during this busy season.
So true, Kelly! I can struggle with a checklist bc I need to get things done. But like you said, with Jesus it’s about our heart not a desire to get my session done with Him. Thanks for visiting today! ❤️
Christmas has become commercialized I agree that keeping Jesus at the center of Christmas doesn’t just happen any more. Around Christmas time things seem get crazy with all type of things happening. For me a great way of keep Jesus at the center is by trying to treat everyone I meet the way He would.
That’s a great way to keep Him front and center Thomas! Being intentional in that area not only helps others, but we are blessed when we bless others. Thanks for visiting today!
I join my heart with yours in a resounding amen! I’m also of the mindset to keep things simple this Christmas. I want to focus on what matters most – Jesus, my people, and the things I most love. The rest is just extra and only proved to make me a crazed women. No Christmas crazy for me! Thanks for your encouragement to abide in Him above all else. Blessings, Alisa. Your upstairs neighbor at #RaRa.
Yes and amen, Tiffany! No crazy up in this house this Christmas- only the peace and joy that Christ brings! Have a wonderful week!
This is a lovely post! It is so true. We need to keep Jesus in the season. Christmas gets so crazy with the parties, gifts, and gatherings. Although they are all fun, it is not the reason for the season. The attitude part really struck home with me. I tend to have a bad attitude at times. I need to remember to work on that. Thanks for this post. It was a great read.
Beautifully written. Just what I needed to read. Thank you!
Thanks, Christy! I love when God gives us just what we need. Have a wonderful week!
An important reminder! I’m doing an advent study this year and really loving it. I’m finding that this year I’m actually enjoying the season and getting into the festive spirit more than I have done in the past, because I’m more in tune with the reason for the season! Thanks for this!
That’s awesome, Mirren! Way to get a head start on it! I’m more intentional when I have a guide as well. Thanks for stopping by today!
Alisa, I just finished two weeks of finals with students, and it was so timely that I popped in to read this! I just love the peace and stillness this encourages…exactly what I needed to refocus and begin preparing my heart. Thank you!!
What a great post on how to keep Christ in Christmas. It has so much more to do with the condition of our hearts than outward ‘things’. Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth this week.
Thanks, Aimee! You are so right! Have a wonderful weekend!
I am so excited about this! We are always seeking out ways to be intentional to keep Christ at the Center of our Christmas! Great idea Alisa!
Your blog post is right on time! So many people get caught up in shopping, increasing debt and overeating, that the true reason for the season (Jesus Christ) becomes lost along the way. Thank you so much for the kind reminder. Happy Holidays and Happy Blogging!
I can’t wait to keep putting Jesus as number 1 . He is the reason for this joyous season!