Less than two weeks until Christmas! It’s that time for lots of shopping, parties, food, and of course, who can forget the in-laws (rhetorical question in case you were wondering)? It’s the most busiest, I mean, wonderful, time of the year. And sometimes it can seem like too much of the “full” and too little of the “wonder.”
While Christmas can be a blessing, it can also be a burden if we’re not intentional. Here are three simple things you and your family can do to keep your Christmas full of wonder.
Focus Forward–Let go of the past.
The last year may have brought joy or pain. But Christmas is a beautiful reminder that we serve a God who makes all things new. And he chose to do that by sending the gift of his Son to the world—not so much to make the world new, but us. And sometimes, we need forgiveness, not only from our sin, but from ourselves, to let go of the guilt of the past. Because God has not only forgiven it, but already forgotten it.
Wonder Idea: Discuss as a family things that you are excited about in the coming year. Maybe even come up with some ideas for some wonder-full things to add to the calendar.
Feel Free–Let go of the pressure.
The season of peace and joy can often seem to be facing an identity crisis in our heart. So many things try to rob us of the gifts God has given to us at Christmastime. One of the greatest is the pressure to feel like we have to do it all. For the next two weeks, let go of the self-inflicted pressure to do “all the things.” (Believe it or not, Christmas will still come and go whether you do them all or not.) And don’t forget to do the most important thing—gifting yourself to the ones you love.
Wonder Idea: Say no to at least one thing this week so that you can say yes to spending quality time with your family.
Find Freedom–Embrace the present.
Just two short weeks from now, all the presents will be opened, the food will be eaten, and we’ll be waving goodbye again. Give yourself and your family the gift of embracing the present. And not just the moment, but the greatest present of all—Jesus. How can you both find and share freedom through Christ this Christmas? When you know Jesus, wonder can be found in truly pausing long enough to appreciate the meaning of Christmas—God became helpless so that we could find hope.
Wonder Idea: Decide as a family how you can creatively share Jesus with someone before Christmas. (caroling, goodie drop-off, nursing home visit, etc.)
Merry Christmas! May your Christmas be more wonder and less full.
