How Can I Make Christmas More Meaningful This Year?
CONVERSATIONS:
“It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, . . . not even a mouse.”
We must live in a different era, because where I live, there’s too much activity going on before Christmas! I’m sure even the mice are busy!
So, how can we make Christmas mean much more, than a holiday frenzy?
1. Make the effort to “pull away”, and get some quiet.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them . . . Luke 2: 8-9
Interesting how God sent his “good news” not within a crowded city, but to an isolated group of shepherds, out in the quiet of the hills.
Take the time to pull away.
Maybe early in the day, before your regular schedule starts.
Or in the stillness of the night.
Action: Decide now. Take out your calendar and mark a time for your personal appointment with God this week.
2. Focus on the spiritual meaning behind Christmas. Open your gift from heaven first.
Christmas began as a Christ-focused event.
Both rich and poor heard the news and were blessed by Jesus’ coming.
You can make this Christmas different too.
Action: Use your God-appointed time, to focus on the meaning of Christmas.
Here are some verses you can look up:
a. Matthew 1:18-21:
Based on verse 21, why did Jesus come to earth? Why is that good news to you?
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b. John 3: 16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
c. 1 John 5: 11:
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Based on these verses, what was God’s motive for sending his Son?
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What is God’s gift to you that no one else can give you ______________________
Who are the people you can share this gift to: __________________________
3. Focus on the “important contents” not the wrappings.
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
The inns and hotels were full of comforts, all the decorations, but had no Jesus.
Joseph and Mary had the poorest accommodations, but the VIP was present.
The most important gift of all time , was simply wrapped in humble cloths.
Q. Are you more occupied this season by the external “wrappings” and preparations or the “contents” of Christmas?
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Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you that Christmas started with you.
Out of your great love for me, You sent me a gift I would need all my life.
You sent me Jesus to be my Lord and my Savior.
Jesus, thank you for coming into my life. This celebration is joyful because of your presence . Help me have a family celebration that focuses more on Your gift to us, rather than our gifts to others.
I receive the good news of your birth, the salvation and forgiveness of my sins.
Help me a bearer of you good news to others , as well.
In Jesus name. Amen.
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