Would you like this Christmas to be the perfect Christmas for you and those you love? With all our planning and anticipation of a good Christmas, we often end up feeling tired, stressed out, empty, and unable to really celebrate Christmas. I have found a few principles from the Bible to help you.
1. Slow Down For Reflection
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. (Luke 1:39-40)
Mary’s life must have felt like a whirlwind after she found out that she would have a baby while yet a virgin. And that baby would be God’s Son. So she went to her cousin’s house to evaluate what was happening in her life. Like Mary we must stop, reflect, and evaluate. We can trust God to clear our hearts for Christ to come to us this season. The chaotic days leading to Christmas have the potential to be both good and bad. It’s important to slow down and evaluate your actions to ensure that this special time is the best it can be.
2. Keep a Christ-centered Focus
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (Luke 2:15)
The shepherds were having an easy night until the angels burst into the air with an announcement of the birth of God’s Son. When all the excitement subsided, they decided to go see Jesus, immediately and quickly. To experience the miraculous nature of Christmas you need to focus on Jesus.
3. Manage the Inevitable Distractions
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
A distraction is only a distraction if we lose our focus. So, with all the preparations how can we keep our focus on Christ at Christmas. Here’s an idea: Paul was in prison, yet he remained focused on Christ. He gives us some ideas to help us keep our focus: (1) Rejoice always. (2) Show kindness to everyone. (3) Pray about everything. (4) Thank God for everything. Then He will give us a peace of heart and mind at Christmas.
4. Celebrate Whatever Your Circumstances
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)
Despite being having an unwed pregnancy and facing an unforeseen future, Mary sang a beautiful song of celebration to celebrate what God was doing. Even less than ideal circumstances shouldn’t keep you from celebrating the miracle birth of God’s Son, Jesus.
5. Enjoy a God-Pleasing Christmas
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
Mary must have experienced a crazy 9 months giving birth to Jesus. So, after she gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem and the shepherds showed up with their story of the announcement from the angels, this must have given Mary some affirmations that all was going to be okay. Now, after it was all over, she knew a calm in her heart that all was as God wanted it. A quiet peace and serenity characterizes those who feel they have pleased God with their life, even in the middle of a hectic Christmas season. May you have such a Christmas that after all the ‘hustle and bustle’ is over you realize you have had your best Christmas ever because you pleased Him this season.
Do you have any other ideas to help have a great Christmas this year?
Several years ago our church went through an Advent celebration called “The Christmas You’ve Always Longed For.” This is an adaptation from that series. (See MainStay Resources)