Merry Giftmas?

I absolutely love the holidays, all holidays!  I think Christmas is probably my favorite of the holidays.  Over the weekend we were listening to the Christmas radio station and a commercial came on, they said Merry Giftmas.  What?  It hurt my heart so much.  Is that really what Christmas has become?  Have we ignored the true meaning so much that it isn't even Christmas anymore?

Growing up in the church and now raising my children in the church, we always knew and celebrated the true meaning... Christ's birth.  But this year I really just want to dig deeper.  I want, for my kids and myself, to really press in and celebrate Christ.   I have been determined to find new ways to show my kids that it is all about Christ.

Today I wanted to share some different ways that you can put Christ in Christmas.  Some of these are things my family will be doing and some are things my sweet sisters have mentioned doing.

1. Take communion before your big Christmas day dinner.
2. Volunteer for the Salvation Army red kettle program or a shelter.
3. Make a box or stocking for Jesus and have each family member place a note inside telling of something they want to do to enrich their relationship with Christ.  Read them aloud on Christmas Eve.
4. Let the kids send balloons (helium filled) up to Jesus with a scripture or prayer attached to it.  It is a gift to Jesus and when it comes down, it can be a witness to someone.  Be sure to pray over them before sending them to Jesus!
5. Pray about adopting a family to bless with a dinner and/or Christmas gifts.
6. Visit a nursing home.  They love having visitors.  You could even go caroling there!
7. Pray for our military men and women and their families who are apart.  Pray about blessing the children of a military family with a gift.
8. If you give Christmas cards out to the mailman, teller at the bank, neighbor or others, add a scripture and let them know you are praying for them.  Be sure to follow through with your prayers.
9. The holidays can be hard for some who may have lost a loved one or are alone.  Invite them over for a special dinner, even if not on Christmas day.  Let them know you are thinking of them.
10. If you know a single parent, offer to babysit so they can go Christmas shopping.

Remember that when we do for others, we are blessing Christ. 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"  Matthew 25:40

These are just a few ideas.  Please comment below with how you keep Christ in Christmas.  Let's make Christ our number one this holiday season.

Sweet Blessings~