Christ In Christmas: Keeping The True Spirit Alive

Keeping Christ in Christmas is about more than just saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays. It's about living your life in a way that reflects the character, love and spirit of Christ. This can be achieved through simple actions such as reading the Christmas story from the Bible, setting up a Nativity scene, reflecting on the lyrics of Christmas carols, making gift-giving meaningful, and attending church services. By focusing on the true meaning of the holiday, individuals can ensure that their celebrations are centred around Jesus and not just commercialized aspects such as shopping and decorations.

Read the Christmas story from the Bible

Reading the Christmas story from the Bible is a great way to keep Christ in Christmas. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Read the Christmas Story Straight from the Bible

The Christmas story is spread across the gospels and requires some page-flipping, but it is worth the time to read the whole story from the different gospel accounts. Read the story of Jesus' birth in this order: Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20, Luke 2:1-20, and Matthew 1:18-2:12.

Read the Christmas Story as a Family

Read the Christmas story with your family and discuss it together. You could also take turns reading aloud. This helps bring the focus off the gifts and back to Christ.

Read the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning

Instead of rushing to open gifts, take some time to gather as a family in prayer and devotion. Read the Christmas story and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas.

Read the Christmas Story and Discuss the Christian Symbolism of the Candy Cane

The candy cane is not just a tasty Christmas treat but also has symbolic meaning. It is in the shape of a shepherd's crook, which can begin a discussion of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Turned upside down, it looks like the letter "J" for Jesus. The white can represent the purity of Jesus and His virgin birth, while the red stripe represents God's love.

Read the Christmas Story and Find Bethlehem on a Biblical Map

After reading the Christmas story, locate Bethlehem on a biblical map. You can use a map from the back of your Bible or a Bible atlas. Compare the biblical map with a current map of the world.

Read the Christmas Story and Re-Enact It

Encourage young children to re-enact the story. Use sheets and blankets to make costumes. You could cast the family dog as a donkey, and a teenager may enjoy directing the play.

Read the Christmas Story and Discuss the Christian Symbols of Christmas

As you decorate your house for Christmas, discuss the symbols of Christmas. For example, the Christmas wreath symbolises the eternal nature of Christ and His endless love. The Christmas lights symbolise Jesus, the light of the world.

Set up a nativity scene

Setting up a nativity scene is a great way to keep Christ in Christmas. Here are some tips to help you create a meaningful and respectful display:

First, choose a location for your nativity scene. Select a spot in your home, such as on a table or beneath your Christmas tree. If you have a nativity set with multiple buildings, it is best to place the stable or manger in the centre, with other buildings arranged around it.

Now it's time to add the figurines. Place the baby Jesus figurine in the centre of the manger. Position Mary next to Jesus, looking down at him. Put Joseph on the other side of Jesus. If your set includes the Angel Gabriel, you can place this figure either with the shepherds or inside the stable.

Group the shepherd figurines on one side of the manger, and the wise men on the other. If you have animal figurines, place camels with the wise men and sheep with the shepherds. Barnyard animals such as donkeys and horses can be placed around the manger, being careful not to block the view of Jesus, Mary or Joseph.

You can also add some creative touches to your nativity scene. Try wrapping a string of white fairy lights around the base of the manger and covering them with a thin sheet of white fabric to create a warm and inviting glow. A layer of straw on the floor of the manger will make it look more like a real barn, and surrounding the scene with holly berries and leaves will give it a natural, festive feel.

If you have children, consider involving them in setting up the nativity scene. Give each child a figurine and read the nativity story to them, asking them to place their figure in the scene as the corresponding character is mentioned. This is a great way to teach children the true meaning of Christmas.

Finally, remember that a nativity scene is a representation of Jesus' birth, so it should be arranged with respect. Take your time and consider the significance of each figure as you position them.

Reflect on the lyrics of Christmas carols

Reflecting on the lyrics of Christmas carols is a great way to keep Christ in Christmas. Many carols are about Jesus, and singing them is a way to praise Him. When you sing these Christmas songs, sing them as praise to Christ!

• "Silent Night! Holy Night!"
• "Away In A Manger"
• "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
• "What Child Is This?"
• "The First Noel"
• "Joy To The World"
• "Angels We Have Heard On High"
• "O Come All Ye Faithful"
• "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"
• "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"

You can also try to match the lyrics of Christmas carols with the Bible verses they sing about. This is a simple way to keep your thoughts on Jesus during the busy holiday season!

Discuss the symbolism of the candy cane

The candy cane is a Christmas staple, but its origins are a little murky. One story goes that in 1670, a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany bent sugar sticks into canes to resemble a shepherd's crook. However, most historians dispute this, saying there is not enough proof.

The candy cane's shape, resembling a shepherd's crook, can be interpreted as a symbol of Christ as the Good Shepherd, with the hook also resembling a 'J' for Jesus. The white colour of the candy cane is said to represent the purity and sinless nature of Jesus, while the red stripes symbolise the blood Jesus shed for humanity's salvation. Some candy canes also feature green, which some Christians believe represents hyssop, a plant used in the Old Testament, especially for Passover. Others say it represents new growth in Christ.

The peppermint flavour of the candy cane is often associated with the idea of fresh breath, which can be seen as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and renewal. The hardness of the candy cane is also said to represent the solid foundation of the Christian faith.

So, while the candy cane may not have been created with an intentional Christian meaning, Christians have certainly found spiritual significance in this festive treat.

Make gift-giving meaningful

Gift-giving is a wonderful part of Christmas, but it can become a source of stress and competition. Here are some ways to make it more meaningful and Christ-centred:

Emphasise the Greatest Gift of Jesus

Talk about ways to show Jesus' love to others. You can also wrap up a Bible or a figurine of Jesus and make it the first gift opened on Christmas morning. This can be a wonderful reminder that Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever receive.

Pool Money to Buy Toys for Needy Families

Instead of buying gifts for each other, consider pooling your money as a family to buy gifts for those in need in your community. You could also give a donation to a charity in honour of your family.

Give Homemade Drawings or Crafts as Gifts

Encourage children to make homemade drawings or crafts as gifts for family members. These will be treasured!

Give Your Time as a Gift

Consider giving your time as a gift to those in need. Do you have a neighbour or elderly friend who could use some help with yard work or Christmas preparations? You could also volunteer at a soup kitchen or children's hospital.

Give to a Child in Need

Jesus was born into a family with very little, so consider buying a gift for a child in need in your community. Many churches participate in "angel trees", where members can select a child and buy them a present. There are also local charities that work with children, providing them with new coats, diapers, food and other practical items.

Give to Those Who Are Lonely

Just as God gave us the gift of His Son, you can give the gift of your presence to someone who is lonely. Visit a sick or homebound friend or relative. If your loved one is far away, plan a call or put together a care package.

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