Each year, Christian parents struggle to balance between the consumerism of Christmas, and keeping Christ the central theme of Christmas. Here are some ideas of ways you can keep Christ the main focus this year.
• Go Christmas caroling.
• Lots of churches have Christmas programs that are completely free.
• Make a Jesse Tree. You can print pictures for a Jesse tree off from the internet, have the kids decorate them, and each day, pull out a Jesse tree decoration and put it on your tree. I use the front of my fridge and simply tape each on there, in the shape of a Christmas tree.
• Make a homemade advent calendar. For each day, have a scripture verse, or a Christmas song that your family will enjoy together. You can include small treats as well (tootsie rolls or kiss, or homemade cookie).
• We have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party
• Sponsor an Angel Tree Child
• Limit gifts – one way to do this is as follows: Decide to have three gifts per child (since that is what Jesus received). Or, we do this one: We buy our children three gifts each, plus one gift to share. We use the following poem as a guideline: “Something to read, something to wear, something to play and something to share”
• Sponsor another charity such as Operation Christmas Child
Stop and think through all the things you do at Christmas and see what is truly just a distraction from Christ, and try to eliminate those things as much as possible. I hope your family has a very Merry Christmas!
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