Go Beyond

Christmas is the one time of the year when even the non list-makers make lists. Even if hastily scribbled on a scrap of paper, we make lists and check them twice to make sure that we don’t forget to send a card or to buy a gift or to attend a party or to get everything we need for Christmas dinner. Here are a few of the things on my list as I strive to keep the true meaning of Christmas in perspective.

The Story | Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas by reading the Christmas story. Set aside time to read Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ miraculous birth. Ask God to fill you with the wonder and excitement of a child hearing the story for the first time. After all, Christmas is about Him. And, don’t be a spiritual Scrooge by keeping the real news about Christmas to yourself. Share God’s story with others.

The Songs | Listen to the old carols and new songs about Christmas throughout the day. Focus on the message and meaning of the songs. Sing them out loud in the shower and in the car. Use a favorite song as a springboard to discussions about Jesus with family and friends. Christmas carols and songs are a great way for parents to add a little spice and variety to family devotions.

The Spending | Think deeply about what you will spend and why. Spend less money on yourself and keep a reserve to help those in need. Give your presence in place of or in addition to presents. Spend meaningful time with those you love and with those who are lonely. Ask God to help you connect with the least of these in your community.

The Stress | Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Do not let the stress of the season rob you of joy. Take control of the season by rethinking your priorities. Learn to say no to the temptation to overspend, to overindulge, and to over commit. Make choices about spending that honor God and that will keep you from starting the New Year drowning in a sea debt.

The Selfish | If you have young children, begin now to teach them to think of others at Christmas. Include them in thinking about practical ways to help those in need or those who serve our community. Something as simple as baking and delivering cookies to the homeless, to the lonely, or to the firefighters and police officers who keep our community safe can teach kids to be a little less selfish and much more thoughtful of others.

The Suffering | In 1984, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure co-wrote a song entitled “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – a song about famine victims in Ethiopia. Geldof recruited the most popular musicians of his day, recorded the song, and raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia. Today, millions of suffering people in our world will never know that it’s Christmas. However, we can make a difference in their lives by donating generously to relief initiatives that will help them to survive another day. In the words of Geldof’s song, “And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time. The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life.”

The Savior | Christmas is the one time of the year when people have to think about Jesus. Even those who don’t normally think about Jesus are forced to think about Him, even if only for a moment. I wish that people would think about Jesus more than they do, but the fact of the matter is they don’t. Every year, Jesus is increasingly obscured by commercialism, attacked by secularism, and eclipsed by consumerism. Determine that you will not lose sight of Jesus this Christmas. Please take a moment to read my post entitled A Valueless Christmas, a reminder to look after Jesus first at Christmas.