Christmas Traditions

Christmas time! Can you believe it is here already? Each year it seems to creep up more quickly than the last, yet the number of days on the calendar are the same. Everyone is rushing around trying to prepare food, gifts, concerts, and the other things that we traditionally do during the Christmas season. What are the things most important to you at Christmas? Have you ever really thought about it? Truly, I would love to hear what they are. How about listing your top 5?

One of our favorite things to do is to prepare for our church Christmas concert. We all sing and enjoy taking time to do this as a family. We also love to cook and prepare goodies for family and friends then do them up in nice packages and deliver them. We have an advent calendar that goes up every December to count the days down to Christmas. We clean the house and scurry around trying to get things in order so we can relax for a few days over Christmas. Then on Christmas day, we love to read the Christmas story (from Luke 2) together discussing what it might have been like on that very first Christmas day.

In the busyness this season brings, have you yet taken time to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)? You can do this as a family or alone. I encourage you to take some time, settle in a quiet place with your Bible and your Lord and pray that He would reveal more of Himself to you. If you don't yet have a relationship with Jesus, you can accept His gift this day and become one of His children. If you are unsure how, just click on  http://www.promisesforall.blogspot.ca/2010/09/greatest-promise.html

Christmas is a wonderful time to begin spending time with Jesus, but don't stop there. Take time each day to spend in His presence, reading His Word, praying and seeking His will for your life and you will find He is right there with you. What a wonderful tradition to begin that will carry you through the days ahead.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Wonderful New Year - May the peace and joy of the birth of Jesus be with you and yours this holiday season and each coming day!

Natalie

Reflective Preparation

In this the third week of Advent, it is my prayer that Christians everywhere take the time to reflect on their purpose for celebrating Christmas. In this time of reflection - which I also am taking part in - we can ask ourselves many questions. Some of which may be:

1. Who is the person (or people) I focus on the most in this season?
2. What is the greatest gift I have ever received and why?
3. What is the greatest gift I have ever given and why?
4. Who is on my guest list this year and does it include Jesus?
5. Is the nativity scene-that is probably part of your decorations-central to your celebration or just a religious symbol?
6. Is my heart right with Jesus?
7. What gift have I chosen to give Jesus this season and all year long?

These are just a few questions we can take some time to consider. When we do, we bring the focus away from the bobbles and fancy lights, tasty food, gifts, and many things that keep us from our true focus of CHRISTmas.

I pray you take the time to read Luke chapter 2, seeking Him. Don't just read it through, but experience it. Put yourself in the Story. For those of you who know it word for word, try to read it in another translation so it might be fresh reading, a way for God to truly get your attention, rather than just skimming it over. Soak up the truths and the promise of our Savior. The love He showers us with is incredible. As undeserved as it is, He continues to seek us out, draw us to Him and forgive us that we may be near to Him.

What an incredible God we serve! May this week and the days leading up to Christmas be a time of quiet, reflective preparation in your home and in your heart. May Jesus Christ be central as you celebrate CHRISTmas.