Christmas! The word alone evokes many feelings, including joy, excitement, longing, and possibly a slight sense of stress. Though it is the season of happiness and a time to spend with loved ones, the reason for its celebration is easily lost in the chaos of wrapping presents and bright lights.
I will be honest, I have been there, swept up in creating the ideal holiday scene and wrapping up gifts for family and friends. However, something changed for me a few years ago. A few weeks before Christmas, my grandma, who was usually the center of our festivities, passed unexpectedly. That year, the glitter felt dull, the music was boring and the cookies tasteless. I found myself feeling lonely and craving for something deeper, something real.
That was the Christmas I finally understood that Christ was not just part of the season—He was the season. Since then, I have made it my mission to keep Him at the center of my Christmas celebrations. If you’re longing for a more significant occasion, I wish to share some ideas for incorporating Christ at the center of your Christmas celebration.
1. Purposely begin with prayer.
This may sound simple, but it is very powerful. Before you begin planning for Christmas or engaging in activities such as decorations, pause. Close your eyes, light a candle, and make Christ the focus of the season. Ask Him to lead your family, your plans, and your heart during the season. Every morning, start the day with a whispered prayer while still wrapped in your blanket: “Jesus, let me see You in the little things today.”
Remember that prayer does not have to be formal. It is in those quiet moments when you are peeling potatoes for dinner, wiping dishes or untangling Christmas lights that He often whispers back.
2. Put up a Nativity Scene and Share the Narrative
My children enjoyed putting up the nativity scene when they were little. However, we would transform it into story time rather than merely putting ornaments for decorations. I would share with them the story of the angels’ song, the shepherds’ wonder, Joseph’s faith, and Mary’s bravery. And every year, without fail, we would lose baby Jesus under the couch. It became a running joke, but it also taught us to “seek Him” in unexpected places.
Let your nativity scene become a source of conversation. Even if it is just, you and your cat staring at it, take a moment to reflect. What does that humble stable mean for your life today? What does it mean to your family? What does it signify in your relationships?
3. Give From Your Heart, Not Just Your Wallet
One Christmas, instead of exchanging gifts, my family decided to volunteer at a local shelter. I will never forget serving a warm meal to a man who told me, “This feels like home.”
Giving does not have to be grand. Drop off cookies for a neighbor, pay for someone’s coffee, or handwrite a note to a friend telling them how much they mean to you. Acts of love and kindness ripple out in ways we will never fully see, but they echo Christ’s love in every direction.
4. Create Time for the Christmas Story
This has become my favorite tradition. On Christmas Eve, just before bed, we dim the lights, light a single candle, and read Luke 2:1-20. There’s something about hearing the words “Glory to God in the highest” that quiets the chaos and brings everything back into focus.
Even if you are alone, reading the story aloud can be grounding. Let the words wash over you, reminding you of the miracle that happened in that stable so long ago.
5. Simplify Without Guilt
Let me say this out loud! You do not have to do everything. There is a year that I skipped sending Christmas cards because life was just too hectic. Instead, I wrote heartfelt emails to a few close friends, telling them how much they meant to me, and this touched their hearts. This is a confirmation that there is always something simple that you can accomplish without feeling embarrassed.
Christmas is not about perfection, it is about connection. Therefore, focus on the traditions that bring joy and meaning to your family, and let the rest go.
6.Attend a Candlelight Service or Christmas Eve Mass
Nothing compares to the silence of a candlelight worship or Christmas Eve Mass. Long after the final “Silent Night” has passed, the murmur of voices raised, and the gentle glimmer of flickering flames remain. If you have not attended one, think about taking advantage of this beloved custom. It is more than just a time for worship, it is chance to pause, think, and let the marvel of Christ’s birth bring joy and serenity into your heart.
7. Bring Christ into Your Conversations
It is not always easy to talk about faith, but Christmas is a natural opportunity. Share what this season means to you and invite someone to a church service, or simply ask a friend what they are grateful for this year. Sometimes, a quiet moment of vulnerability can open the door to something beautiful.
8. End the Day with Gratitude
Christmas night is one of my favorite times. The house is still, the tree lights softly glowing, and I sit with a cup of tea and just… reflect. I think about the blessings of the day, the people I love, and the incredible gift of Jesus. It is not fancy or Instagram-worthy, but it fills my heart in a way that nothing else can.
9. An Unforgettable Christmas
Let us try something new this year by celebrating with a purpose, and hearts full of amazement and thankfulness. The goal is to create a Christ-centered holiday. It is a reality that the decorations will be put away, the leftovers consumed, and the gifts unwrapped at the end of the day. But Christ’s love? That remains and never changes. That is what Christmas is all about.
To sum up, Christmas is a time for celebration, giving, and meditation,but above all, it is a chance to put Christ first. The genuine significance of the season is preserved by keeping Christ at the center of your celebrations.
Happy Christmas, my friend. I pray that this season may deepen your relationship with Him.