In our cultural emphasis to remove God, and faith in Him, from the public square, we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas celebrations will never have a lasting impact on our children if we make it all about their gifts and our busyness. Christmas is a grave disappointment without Christ at the center. God will honor and bless making our family Christmas about His Son. Does your family take time to read the Christmas story together? Are you in church together? What lasting meaning of Christmas will be passed onto your family?
I recently sat around a table with a group of adults who were sharing memories of Christmases they experienced as a child. Your children will remember something about your family Christmases. What might that be?
“And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:12 (NLT)
There is a tale of a family who wanted to celebrate their baby’s birth. There was much to do in preparing for the big day. There was decorating to be done and food to be prepared. Many friends and family from far and wide were sent invitations, and gifts were bought for the special occasion. It was to be a great time of celebration, fellowship, and food. The day and time arrived for the celebration after much anticipation; however, at the appointed time to begin, the baby was nowhere to be found. In all the preparation and planning, the baby had been ignored and ultimately misplaced. After much searching, the baby was found asleep on a bed with coats and wraps from their guests piled upon him.
Might we do the same thing with Baby Jesus? We plan and prepare for a great celebration but leave Him out. How is it with your family this Christmas? Has the One to be honored and celebrated been misplaced and overlooked? It is said, “You will never find Christmas under the tree if Christ is not in your heart.” Is Christ at the center of your Christmas? It is His birthday we celebrate. If you want a meaningful and purposeful Christmas that lasts beyond the wrappings, gift exchange, and credit card bills, I encourage you to make it about the One Whom we celebrate His birthday. Your children won’t remember the gifts they received, but they will remember the atmosphere and focus of your family Christmas.
“They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them,” (Luke 2:16-20 NLT).
