Five Tips To Help You Keep Christ At The Center Of Christmas

We are all in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season right now. Our days are being filled with planning Christmas parties, baking, ordering those last minute gifts, and all the Christmas plays at church. Christmas season is my favorite season of the year and my family loves to decorate for this once a year occasion.

Through all of that busyness, the one thing we can't forget is why we are celebrating Christmas. It is because Christ came born of a virgin, sinless, died on a cross, and rose again. With all the marketing and commercials that we see on a daily basis we must remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

A tradition that our family has, that we cherish so much, is on Christmas Day (no matter how early lol) before anyone opens a gift we all sit down and I take the Bible and read the birth of Christ. After I read, we have family prayer and thank God for the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of his Son. My wife and I always want to make sure that our children understand that Christmas is not all about the gifts, the Christmas trees, or even decorations. Christmas is about the birth God's Son and his redemption for mankind.

I want to share with you five tips to help you Keep Christ In The Center Of Christmas this year.

Read the Birth of Christ and Pray

Before you and your family tear open all of those gifts under the tree stop and take the Bible out. Read the birth of Christ, talk about what it as a family, and then pray.

• Thank God for his Son.

• Thank God for his plan of redemption

• Thank God for his sovereignty in your life

• Thank God for his provision and protection over you and your family.

There are many things we can thank him for. Make sure that you keep the birth of Christ before the gifts.

Teach Your Children it is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

The Bible teaches us this principle in Acts 20:35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." One way to do this is through an angel tree program or making cookies for a shut in. There are many things you can do to instill this principle into the heart and lives of your children.

God modeled this principle before us by giving his only begotten Son to die in our place so we could have eternal life. No better gift has ever been given to mankind.

Keep Christ First

It's so easy to put the many things of Christmas ahead of the true importance of the season. Everything you do for this season, relate it back to the bible. Model this principle in your own life. The bible instructs us to "Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Take the opportunity in your daily conversations to talk about Christ. Ask God in prayer to put someone in your path daily that you can share the gospel with. Do an art project with your family that will help your whole family reflect on Christ.

Decorate With the Birth of Christ as Your Theme

My family loves to decorate with lights, trees, and snowmen but we also like putting up decorations of the birth of Christ. It is a great way to remind us of the birth of Christ. My children love setting out the manger scene and it prompts them to talk about the birth of Christ. There is no better theme this season you could decorate with than the birth of our Saviour. People who come to visit you need to see that you keep Christ in the center of Christmas. They need to see that you're serious about the true meaning of Christmas. It makes for a great conversation starter to share the gospel too.

Family Altar Time

Have a theme in your family altar time on the birth of Christ. This is a great way to teach your family about the birth of Christ. Take this time to reflect and talk about the importance of God's Son coming to earth. Take your time and don't rush it. Take the time to answer any questions your kids may have or even your spouse. The family alter is a great way to instill the truth of our Saviour into your home. You will not regret this time together.

May God richly bless you this Christmas season. Don't forget to take your family to church. This year is a very special year because Christmas is on Sunday this year. Bring your whole family to church this year. If your not used to going to church, this would be a great way to get started.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!!