MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY TO KEEP CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS
So many of us can get lost in the hustle and bustle of buying gifts, attending parties, and preparing our homes for family that we forget to keep Christ at the center. We can easily lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and before long end up stressed and overwhelmed from the barrage of things to get done before December 25th.
It is important to slow down, balance your schedule, and reflect on why this day even exists.
I can relate to the busyness of this period, as I have had firsthand experience of the runnings around. Through my own experience with trying to manage buying gifts for loved ones, visits from relatives and vice-versa, and the merriment and funfare that usually goes with it; I simply got lost in the busyness of it all. But that was in the past.
I will share with you 10 tips which I believe will help on how to manage your time and keep the focus of Christmas at the only reason for the season - Christ.
2). On Christmas Eve, you can start a tradition of taking family communion together as a way to remember Christ's death and resurrection. Be clear to family members that this is celebration of Christ's birth which means salvation for us.
3). Set up a nativity scene in your home or front yard as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Put up Christ centered decorations and ornaments through your home, and place lights on your Christmas tree to symbolize the "light of the world."
4). Play Christ-centered Christmas music as a way to focus on Christ and the miracle of His birth. Secular Christmas music is fun, but too much of it can take the true meaning away from Christmas.
5). Attend a Christmas service at your local church, and worship God Almighty for sending His son into the world for us. Churches have several Christmas programs lined up at this time. You can attend some or all of them.
6). Send Christmas cards with a spiritual message. This can be a great way to share the birth of Jesus Christ with others.
7). Make a birthday cake for Jesus. You can even sing happy birthday to Jesus. Tip: If you prefer to make a cake, it may also be nice to use it for the communion in No.2 above, except you have other ideas.
8). Show people around you the selfless love that Christ taught us. Find ways to give back your time and/or resources. You can even show the love of Christ to your neighbors by baking them homemade treats. Be innovative and think up something great.
9). Keep focused on what Christ has done in your life by writing or saying (5) things that you are grateful for daily. Thank God for His mercies in Christ.
10). Watch the Nativity Story and choose other Christmas movies that you can watch that incorporates Christian values.
And lastly, but not the least, some words of exhortation.
As we enter into this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, may you be reminded to include Christ into your family's festivities. Teach your children and talk to them about why Christmas is celebrated. If you have no child, but have only friends, then teach them. Make sure you impart someone close to you this season.
As a child, I knew little or nothing about Christmas except for the gifts I would get. My main focus was what I would get for Christmas and the merry-making that would always go with it. I went to Christmas Eve mass with my family, but we never discussed why we did that and the importance of going. It was not until I received Christ as my Personal Savior in my twenties, that I came to realize the true meaning of Christmas. It doesn't have to be that way for your children, or your brethren, or younger friends.
What about you? What Christmas traditions do you have that keep Christ at the center?
Bible Verse for meditation
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
So many of us can get lost in the hustle and bustle of buying gifts, attending parties, and preparing our homes for family that we forget to keep Christ at the center. We can easily lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and before long end up stressed and overwhelmed from the barrage of things to get done before December 25th.
It is important to slow down, balance your schedule, and reflect on why this day even exists.
I can relate to the busyness of this period, as I have had firsthand experience of the runnings around. Through my own experience with trying to manage buying gifts for loved ones, visits from relatives and vice-versa, and the merriment and funfare that usually goes with it; I simply got lost in the busyness of it all. But that was in the past.
I will share with you 10 tips which I believe will help on how to manage your time and keep the focus of Christmas at the only reason for the season - Christ.
How to manage your time wisely at Christmas
1). Set aside a special time to read through the Christmas story with your family. You can do this daily all through the Christmas week so that the import of the story rubs in. The story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20 is a good example for this.2). On Christmas Eve, you can start a tradition of taking family communion together as a way to remember Christ's death and resurrection. Be clear to family members that this is celebration of Christ's birth which means salvation for us.
3). Set up a nativity scene in your home or front yard as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Put up Christ centered decorations and ornaments through your home, and place lights on your Christmas tree to symbolize the "light of the world."
4). Play Christ-centered Christmas music as a way to focus on Christ and the miracle of His birth. Secular Christmas music is fun, but too much of it can take the true meaning away from Christmas.
5). Attend a Christmas service at your local church, and worship God Almighty for sending His son into the world for us. Churches have several Christmas programs lined up at this time. You can attend some or all of them.
6). Send Christmas cards with a spiritual message. This can be a great way to share the birth of Jesus Christ with others.
7). Make a birthday cake for Jesus. You can even sing happy birthday to Jesus. Tip: If you prefer to make a cake, it may also be nice to use it for the communion in No.2 above, except you have other ideas.
8). Show people around you the selfless love that Christ taught us. Find ways to give back your time and/or resources. You can even show the love of Christ to your neighbors by baking them homemade treats. Be innovative and think up something great.
9). Keep focused on what Christ has done in your life by writing or saying (5) things that you are grateful for daily. Thank God for His mercies in Christ.
10). Watch the Nativity Story and choose other Christmas movies that you can watch that incorporates Christian values.
And lastly, but not the least, some words of exhortation.
As we enter into this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, may you be reminded to include Christ into your family's festivities. Teach your children and talk to them about why Christmas is celebrated. If you have no child, but have only friends, then teach them. Make sure you impart someone close to you this season.
As a child, I knew little or nothing about Christmas except for the gifts I would get. My main focus was what I would get for Christmas and the merry-making that would always go with it. I went to Christmas Eve mass with my family, but we never discussed why we did that and the importance of going. It was not until I received Christ as my Personal Savior in my twenties, that I came to realize the true meaning of Christmas. It doesn't have to be that way for your children, or your brethren, or younger friends.
What about you? What Christmas traditions do you have that keep Christ at the center?
Bible Verse for meditation
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
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