The Reason For The Season

Christians complain about the holiday season from October through the end of December

"Christmas has become too commercialized. It's too secular now," they say.

"It's all about Santa and shopping, but what about the Savior? Jesus is the reason for the season.”

You probably agree with these sentiments. After all, Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus' birth, right?

But how do you keep Christ in Christmas when you're already waist deep in the hustle and bustle of the holiday—decorating trees, shopping for the perfect gifts, Christmas caroling, and nativity plays, hosting family and friends, baking cookies, and don't forget about pictures with Santa.

In this post, I want to help you reframe your focus so that you can keep Christ as the center of your Christmas activities and enjoy the holiday in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Warning: This post is NOT about advising you to give up your holiday traditions or making you feel guilty about enjoying the "secular" or commercial aspects of the holiday season. It's also not about cramming more projects into your already overloaded schedule. Instead, I want to show you how Christ can be a part of everything you already have planned this season.

We have a free 8.5 x 11" poster available that you can download and use as you wish. It will remind those who see it who is the reason for the season. Click >>here<< for the free poster.

Decorating The Christmas Tree

As the centerpiece of Christmas decor, the Christmas tree is a great place to showcase the reason for the season. You can tell the Christmas story through nativity-themed ornaments. As you string the lights, remember that Jesus is the light of the world. And, when you get to the top of the tree, whether you prefer a star or an angel, think about the night Jesus was born. Tell your children about the star the wise men followed or the angels that announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Now every time you look at your Christmas tree, you will see Jesus and the joy He brings.

Watching Christmas Movies

The Nativity Story, The Star, and The Ultimate Gift are popular Christian Christmas movies. But even movies about elves, reindeer, and snowmen can spark conversations about faith, hope, and God's love at work.  So, pop the popcorn, pull up your favorite streaming service, and enjoy a great family night.

Shopping & Buying Gifts

God gave us the most precious gift with the birth of Jesus. Giving is how He showed His great love for us (John 3:16). As you shop for gifts, thank God for Jesus. Be grateful for the blessings you've received. Reflect on the love you want to share with your family and friends through your gifts.

Santa Claus

Even Santa? Why not?!  Can you not see Christ's love at work through a man who makes toys and delivers them to children around the world? Show your children God's love on display. Santa can perfectly illustrate how God uses people to bless others. I can't imagine the Jesus who ate with tax collectors and ministered to Samaritan women would denounce a man who makes toys and delivers them to children.

The reality is, whether or not you enjoy a Christ-centered Christmas is up to you. Keeping Christ as the reason for the season is not about denouncing Santa or the commercialization of the season. It's more about how you live your life than what you buy. The best way to have a Christ-centered Christmas is to make Him a central part of your celebrations.

Recognize and celebrate the love and character of Christ that is present all around. Take every opportunity to remind yourself, your family, and your friends about the reason for the season.

Grace and peace,

Alicia

Free Download

I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to read what was on my heart. I'd like to thank you by offering a free PDF download when you fill out the form below.

Make sure to click the box beside 'Subscribe to the CWC Email Community' to receive our monthly newsletter and a few emails a month to keep you informed about our community, updates on the website, special sales promotions, and to send you cool free stuff!

You'll receive a 21 journal & prayer prompts journal that assists you with celebrating the reason for the season. It includes guided questions/journal prompts and also prayer prompts to aid your spiritual growth and relationship with God.

You can read the PDF downloads on whatever electronic device you use and fill out the journal answers in your own journal or a notebook. 

Another way to enjoy the downloads is to print them out on your home printer or email them to your favorite printer like the UPS Store, Staples Business Depot, or Kinkos and use them in printed form.

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