Growing up Christmas was about parties, presents, lights, and decorations. Early on, it was about family too, but time and things happened and it became less and less. Once I had my first child, I found that Christmas wasn’t what I wanted or knew it should be, we made changes and worked to give our children a Christ Centered Christmas, in today’s modern crazy chaotic month of December.
Below is part of a post I did a couple of years ago.
In our family, we do give gifts, but our focus is on the giving. Christ gave his life for us, and we enjoy giving gifts as a reminder of that. We also do decorate some, though I try to keep the Santa and other non-Christ centered items to a minimum. There are several of those decorations that are from both mine and my Hot Guy’s Childhood. Many are from grandparents that are far away or already at the feet of Jesus. They bring back memories that we want to try and share with our children, so they come out and are enjoyed. We also have four Nativity scenes up. This helps keep baby Jesus at the center of our Christmas. At the top of our Christmas tree is an angel made several years ago when we didn’t have anything to use. It is made from a paper towel tube, tissue paper glue and markers.
Our gift giving is not the fancy, crazy gifts that are so typical of our society now. It is a normal thing for me to get a vacuum cleaner, mixer, dryer, or some other wonderfully useful item that will make my life a little easier. Our children get needed clothes, homeschool curriculum, books, and other needed items. Grandparents get a family picture. This makes it simple to give gifts.
Christmas isn’t about the decorations, lights, presents…It is about the birth of a miracle, a savior, a little boy who still today gives us hope, peace, comfort and joy. He has taught us what true love is for thousands of years
Some ways we have or are keeping Christ at the Center this month and spending extra special time as a family:
- Reading many books…Some great lists here and don’t forget to check out what is free on Kindle here.
- Jesse Tree
- Truth in the Tinsel
- Christ Centered Crafts (be watching as I share a few DIY/Tutes on these) To be sure you don’t miss any by subscribing.
- I am doing this You Version Advent Reading Plan
- My friend Jennifer has a very LONG list of Christ Centered Christmas ideas for the family.
- Baking together~recipes other than what we normally make.
- We picked out some things to help people through Gospel For Asia
How do you keep Christ as the center of your Christmas celebrations?
mother, christian, wife, woman, child of God. It is about my life as a farmer’s wife, as a cook, a baker, a nurse, a teacher, a woodworker, a housekeeper, a farmer (yep, I drive tractors, pick up hay bales, and other farm duties), a gardener. So, what you read here, is me, as a transparent sometimes hot headed, passionate, and opinionated person.
Thank you for linking to my post!
Jennifer, you are welcome. Thanks for a great post to link to. 😉