Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of discussion surrounding the battle of keeping Christ in Christmas. I’m sure you’ve heard them, too.
Christmas season can quickly become consumed with busy schedules, gift-buying, and endless holiday parties. While these traditions bring us joy, it’s easy to lose sight of the why behind it all—the Reason for the Season—the birth of Jesus Christ.
As believers, how do we keep Christ at the center of Christmas?
After pondering a bit, I came up with a few intentional ways to keep Christ at the center of Christmas:
- Incorporate Prayer & Scripture
During the Christmas season, start each day with a moment of prayer or reading the Nativity story from the Gospels. Invest time reflecting on passages like Luke 2:1-20 or Isaiah 9:5-7, allowing their timeless truths set the tone for your day. - Invite Faith into Your Family Traditions
- Set up a nativity scene in your home as a conversation starter with family or friends.
- Create a personal Advent calendar that includes scripture readings or acts of kindness.
- Play Christmas hymns that focus on the birth of Jesus like “O Holy Night” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
- Focus More on Giving Versus Getting
Christmas is a beautiful reminder of God’s generosity in sending His Son, Jesus. We can mirror this generosity by giving intentionally—whether to someone in need, a ministry, or a cause close to our heart. - Make Church a Priority
Here is one I struggle with of late: making church attendance a priority. Our 2024 has proved to be challenging and left us with little margin to solidify a new church home. We can attend Christmas services, like a candlelight service or Christmas Eve worship, in hopes of recentering our heart on the spiritual significance of the season. - Share the Story of Christ’s Birth
Finding opportunities to share the Good News, whether by reading the Nativity story with loved ones, posting a faith-centered message on social media, or through having meaningful conversations about the hope Christmas brings, are all excellent examples of keeping Christ in Christmas.
By weaving these practices into the season, we can celebrate Christmas in a way that honors its true purpose and draws us closer to Christ.
Perhaps, all of this seems old outdated and old fashioned to you. Maybe you’re asking yourself —Who is this Jesus fella anyhow?
If that’s the case for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would welcome having a conversation with you.
What say you David, Bridget, and Alan? What recommendations or tips do you have to help keep Christ at the center of Christmas?
Until my next post…
Grace and peace,
Rainer Bantau—The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
too many churches see a holiday and use that as an opportunity for a break
this makes sense if you have plenty of money and can go on holiday
it’s also logical to ask less of people when there are less people around
however, I don’t see examples of Jesus chilling out and shutting down because of holidays…more the opposite is my reading of scripture
when we were in full-time church ministry we went the opposite way of the people around us and were determined to keep going for everybody who attended church and didn’t have the luxury of a holiday away
it’s the same reason why we’ll be doing a Live Christmas and Boxing Day show, plus one on New Year’s Eve
we’re committed to what God gas asked of us…so we need to get on with it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Andy, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. It’s good (I think) when a post causes us to be vulnerable and examine ourselves. Yes—it is good to be made to think—I am grateful if my post did any of that for you.
Jesus regularly spent time with His Father. We see that rhythm over and over again in the Gospels.
[Am I understanding you correctly that churches in the UK actually shut down over the Christmas “holiday”?]
Yes, I think we conflate our work/faith life. That in itself is an interesting topic for later discussion.
Locally, I noticed what was once the Dallas Christmas Parade is now the “Holiday Parade”. This leans toward your observation and question of how our approach to Christmas has morphed from a time of celebration to a time of vacation. I see that not only in secular work environments, but also in nonprofit ministry contexts.
Thanks again for reading and adding your insights to the conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
I wonder whether we see Christmas more as a holiday than a moment to celebrate the birth of Christ.
In a world that values busyness, we can easily see the ‘holiday’ as a time to indulge in all things ‘me’.
Churches here in the UK instinctively shut down the really righteous activities – because people want a break.
I get that.
But, Jesus took one day a week to rest [with His father in worship].
Perhaps we need to self-check that we don’t allow the celebrating of the birth of the Living Messiah to become an opportunity to shut down and rest “because we work hard and deserve a break”.
Perhaps it is the conflation of work life and faith life.
My wonderings – from your post – are questions I didn’t know I had with answers I definitely don’t have!
Thanks Rainer – always good to be made to think 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great suggestions 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, Alan. 🙏 I’ve not heard of “crimbo”? Praying for your bride and that the Holy Spirit would make His presence known and felt during this difficult, difficult time. May God provide you both with comfort and confidence in the days and weeks ahead. Thanks for reading my post and sharing not only your insights but part of yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Rainer, we really need to keep Christ in our Christmas 🎄
Living in a hedonistic/humanist world makes it difficult to keep the focus on ‘the real thing’ and I’m not talking of a certain big red truck. I have always grated against some of the modern practices, particularly in regard to naming the Christmas season things like “crimbo” or “xmas” both of which make me cringe. On a personal note we are being forced to sideline some practices for Christmas as we are focussed on my wife’s cancer treatment and impending surgery, which I think is closer to the real reason for the season – life in Jesus.
LikeLiked by 1 person