For most, December is a crazy month filled with parties,
programs, baking, buying, decorating, overspending, secrets and stress.
Why? Why are we doing all of these things?
Do we feel present, peaceful
and grounded? Or does it make us feel frantic, frazzled and burdened?
Just the sheer thought of the craziness that surrounds Christmas makes me on
the verge of a panic attack. The obscene amount of unnecessary things
that are purchased and given is overwhelming.
We give not because we can afford
to give or want to give or even because the person needs the gift. Instead we so often give with debt acquired
because, in some way or another, we feel obligated to give.
Year after year, I feel deep down inside of my soul a conviction, a yearning
that longs to celebrate only the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
I'm not saying that it’s easy, and I'm for sure not saying that I
don't fail miserably each year, but I continue to long for this celebration and
to try my best.
I long for a simple Christmas. One where no materialistic gifts are
needed, but where our time spent together is the best gift. One where no
fake man with a big white beard is what children are excited about, but where
all are completely overjoyed that their Father in heaven loves them so very much
he sent His own son to give to us a beautiful undeserved gift. I long for a simple Christmas with no debt, no
stress, no greed, no desires of our own take over; a simple Christmas that
truly focuses on what Christmas is really celebrating-the birthday of Jesus
Christ.
We do many things each December to keep our focus on Jesus. And I am longing to add more traditions to our December, but more so I am
feeling called to change our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day to truly
focus on that little babe in the manger.
Here are some
of our family’s Christmas traditions:
- We teach them
about Saint Nicholas. We talk each year about what an amazing man of God he was
and how he sacrificed his own needs for people who had less than him. We do not teach our children to believe in Santa. (Our
children do know that others believe Santa is real and brings them gifts. They know it is that child's mama and daddy's
job to tell them the real story- not our job!
:) )
-We seek out Drive Thru Nativity's, with hot cocoa in hand we enjoy the outing as a family.
-We encourage the hand making of gifts or the buying of a
gift that will be truly special to that specific person. Each gift we
give is carefully planned and picked for its receiver.
-Every evening during our Bible time, we focus on the scripture
leading up to Jesus' birth. Our method changes yearly, but this year we are
going through
Ann Voskamp's Jesse TreeJourney, and in addition to the scripture, we are reading the corresponding story
out of our
Jesus Storybook Bible. (I think we will use this
particular combination for years to come.
I feel a tradition brewing. *swoon*)
-On Christmas Eve the children do a play of the birth of Jesus.
-Christmas Day we have a birthday party for Jesus, complete with decorations, cake (or cupcakes), singing and celebrating.
What are some of the ways your family keeps Jesus at the center of this season?
What are some ways your family keeps Jesus at the center of Christmas Eve & Christmas Day?
