WALTER SCOTT: KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Every year I become more irritated with how commercial the Christmas season has become. Christmas decorations and TV ads have come out before Halloween. I refuse to even look at them until after Thanksgiving.
Keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.”
Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Here are a few simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season.
1) Give God one very special gift just from you to him:
Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing. Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you’ve needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you’ve given a gift back to yourself.
Lewis B. Smedes wrote in his book, Forgive and Forget, “When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself.”
Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending time with God daily. Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up. Make this your most important gift of the season.
2) Set aside a special time to read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20:
Consider reading this account with your family and discussing it together. We read it every year at our music club Christmas meeting and we sing Christmas carols.
3) Set up a Nativity scene in your home:
There are many beautiful or very simple Nativity scenes available. Arts and crafts stores have pieces that will aid you in building your own. We have had one for many years.
4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas:
Put together a Christmas basket for someone in your community who is in real need. If kids are involved, don’t forget them. Clothes, toys, candy will all be greatly appreciated.
5) Take a group Christmas caroling in a nursing home or a children’s hospital:
My wife goes to several nursing homes and sings Christmas songs to them. Sometimes a group from the church will go and sing.
6) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family:
Jesus taught us to serve by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to members of your family is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider giving a back rub to your spouse, running an errand for your brother, or cleaning out a closet for your mother. Make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessings multiply.
7) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning:
Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas. We make a point of going to our church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service. It brings out the true meaning of Christmas.
8) Attend a Christmas church service together with your family:
If you are alone this Christmas or don’t have family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you. There is nothing wrong with going alone for there will be a family of Christians at the church to welcome you.
9) Send Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:
This is an easy way to share your faith at Christmastime. If you’ve already bought the reindeer cards—no problem! Just write a Bible verse and include a personal message with each card. We discard any cards that don’t say ‘Merry Christmas’.
10) Send a Christmas package to a soldier:
It really helps to let a soldier know they are being thought about at a time when they are away from their loved ones and unable to travel home. A package from home doesn’t have to be much. Perhaps a group, Sunday school class, or some other group could get together and make an event of preparing a gift for one or more soldiers away from home.
The bottom line is do something for someone other than yourself. Show the real spirit of Christmas.
Sincerely,
Scotty