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!