In the midst of scrambling to accomplish our To-Do lists, do you find yourself grumbling about the Christmas season? It’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending list of tasks, totally forgetting to focus on Jesus. Here’s a list of 9 activities that will help bring your focus back to Christ.
1.) Sing Christmas Carols
While studying, driving to and from school or unloading the dishwasher, sing your favorite Christmas hymns and remind yourself of the meaning behind each word.
2.) Decorate Christmas Cookies
You’re going to help your mom bake a batch of sugar cookies anyways, but this year, mix an extra batch to give to your neighbors, elderly members of your church, your post person, youth pastor or the homeless guy you see on the street corner near the mall.
3.) Make Wrapping Paper
Decorate wrapping paper and gift tags with little symbols that remind you of Christ. No one else has to make the connection (meaning they can be as abstract and obscure or as straightforward and obvious as you’d like). Paint butcher paper with blue squiggles to represent Mary’s dress or use a gold bow to represent the star over Bethlehem. Let your creative mind flow, but give God the glory.
4.) Send a Christmas Card
Write a message of hope and inspiration, reminding your loved ones of how much you appreciate them and how much the Lord cherishes them.
5.) Wrap Presents
Pray for the person for whom you’re wrapping each gift. Ask the Lord to touch their heart. Ask Him to make the gift something helpful, meaningful and honorable. Ask God to bless their Christmas and New Year.
6.) Watch a Christmas Movie
A ton of Christmas movies can remind you of Christ if you allow them to… yes, even Elf. So, pick out a favorite holiday film and allow your mind to find a connection to Jesus’ birth in the movie.
7.) Give a Gift to a Stranger
Volunteer at a food bank, help with the Children’s Christmas pageant, give your teacher a special token of your appreciation, buy a gift for a needy child. Giving a gift doesn’t have to be an actual item, your heart is a gift to so many people, so offer it up to others – but remember, the Spirit of the Lord lives in you, so your heart is a reflection of His.
8.) Read the Christmas Story
Few things will center your focus more than reading God’s Word. Soak up God’s message of Christ’s birth in scripture by reading the account in Isaiah 9: 6-7, Luke 2: 1-20 or Matthew 1: 18-2: 12. While reading, see if you can learn something new about Jesus’ coming.
9.) Clean Out Your Closet
Make a Goodwill or Salvation Army run. Review all that you have, recognizing it’s all from the Lord, and give away items that you don’t need anymore. While you sort through everything you own, remind yourself how truly blessed you are. Once you clear out some of the old items, you’ll have room for the new gifts and luxuries you’ll receive for Christmas. “Out with the old, in with the new” – This is indicative of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life. As we accept Christ as our Savior, our old self is washed away and a new, glorious self comes to take its place.
Tell us how you remember the glory of our Lord during the Christmas season!
