TEN REMINDERS TO PREPARE FOR THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON (5 min read)

1.    Know the Reason for this Season.

Mat 1:21 – “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is the reason for this season. Not Santa, music, or anyone should be the focus in this season.

Jesus, the One who holds all things together, chose to enter this world in the humblest form—a small, helpless babe. Jesus’ birth is the greatest gift we will ever receive, which is why we celebrate!

2.    Saturate your hearts by Reading God’s Word.

Let us read the Gospels, especially the birth narrative passages to warm our hearts during this season. You version offers the 25-day advent reading plan for those who need it handy to read and meditate. The question is, do we desire to read God’s word during this season though plenty of versions are available for us to read?

To read the whole story of Jesus’ birth, someone suggests this order below.

• Luke 1:26-38
• Luke 2:1-7
• Matthew 1:18-25
• Luke 2:8-21
• Matthew 2:1-12
• Mark 1:14-15

Reading these passages together as a family during this season is recommended.  

3.    Meaningfully Pray during this season.

Luke 2:36-37 - And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four^] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

Bible exhorts us to pray meaningfully all the time not just for this particular season. Today we have time for everything except prayer. We are so busy caught up with various activities during this season that we don’t have time for prayer.

Like Anna let’s dedicate ourselves to quality time of prayer this season.

4.   Repent from any sin or any sinful patterns in our life.

Christmas Advent is a good season to search our hearts as we pray and confess our wrongdoings to God. Confession renews our relationship with God and with others.

Ps 32: 5 - I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

5.    Enjoy Singing songs that Glorify God.

We often get delighted with Carols, and musical evenings during this season. Have we paused and thought about the meaning of the songs we listen to?

The fact is we are interested most of the time in entertaining songs and only music gets our attention. This Old Christmas hymn is rich in its meaning.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
  “Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild;
  God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
  Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
  “Christ is born in Bethlehem.

As we generally hear this song during this season, the song begins with a triumphant proclamation of Jesus' birth, describes the fact that He is both God and man and then praises Him for the salvation He was born to provide

6.   Remember to Worship God.

Worship has become a burdensome duty for many of us. We have lost the delight with God, because of worries and anxieties in life.

The excitement of Christmas has been lost in our hearts. Many other things occupy our hearts during this season like shopping and eating plans. We have forgotten to bow down and worship this king who was born. Anna sets a good example for all of us. Luke 2:38a - Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God.

7.    Keep your Celebrations simple and Christ-focused.

Shopping Malls, Churches, and houses are mostly decorated during this season. Decorations and spending are not wrong in itself. shopping is not bad nor finding a good deal is not wrong during this season. But when it consumes us and becomes more important than Jesus it is an idol. Is Christ our focus during this season?

8.   Learn to Give during this Season

The Bible says in Acts 20:35 “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. Most of the time we are interested during this season in the gifts we receive rather than giving to others. It could be anything money, clothes, or our time. Let’s prayerfully consider giving to the needs of others this season.

Charles Swindoll captures the idea of giving succinctly “Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value. Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion. Give something away anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy”.

9.   Not to miss the Essentials in our Celebrations

Love – Joy – Peace – Hope (Read the recent blog post)

 https://meetclement.blogspot.com/2023/12/essentials-during-christmas-season-35_19.html 

10.  Do not forget to share the Message of Christmas with others.

Luke 2: 38 – “And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem”.

Ask God to open your eyes and mouth to the opportunities to share the message of Christmas with those around you—your family, friends, and strangers. we may not even see some of them next year so let us capitalize on the moment with others to share the love of Christ.

Ann Voskamp the Canadian author & blogger puts it aptly in her words

“We’re ready for Christmas, not when we have all the gifts, but when we are ready for Christ—when we’re ready to give all of ourselves to Christ.”

Let God help us to prepare our Hearts during this season.

Allow Christ to be born in your hearts. You will never regret making this decision today.  

 

 

Blessed Christmas season & New Year Greetings!