A Prayer to Keep Christ at the Center of Christmas
By Clarence Haynes
Bible Reading:
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. - Luke 2:10-11
Listen or Read Below:
For many, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. In families, it is a time to get together to share food, laughter, and hopefully make some lasting memories. The kids love it because of the anticipation of the gifts they will receive. I think we can all remember how we couldn’t wait for Christmas morning to come so we could rip open those presents. Stores also love this time of year because, for many, it is the last opportunity to add to their bottom line for the year. In some cases, the Christmas shopping season will make or break their profits for the year. This is a big reason the promotion for Christmas seems to happen earlier every year. While the decorations, the lights, the plays, and the music are all wonderful, it is easy for the reason we celebrate Christmas to get lost in the shuffle of Frosty the Snowman and Silver Bells. Christmas is about giving. However, it is not about the gifts we give to each other, but the gift that was given to us.
Over 2,000 years ago, in a stable, surrounded by other animals, the greatest gift ever given to humanity was born. This child, a gift to the weary world, would sacrifice his life for our sins and open the door to reconcile us back to the Father. The humble arrival did not match the majesty of the one who was born to us. How could the King of kings, the Messiah, the creator of the world, come to us in this fashion? Yet this is exactly how Jesus entered the world, bringing light into our darkness.
This is what Christmas means, and we must center everything we do around it during this holiday season. But how do we keep Christ at the center? One way is by telling the story. Yes, we can tell it to the world (and we should), but let’s start by making sure we tell it in our homes. Make it a new tradition if it is not one already. Christmas is the perfect time to remind your kids of who Jesus is and why he came. It is also the one time of year when songs about Jesus are played and even celebrated on the radio. Because people are in a festive spirit, it can open doors for conversations with others about who Jesus really is.
We can also keep Christ at the center by what we do. Since the heart of the Christmas story is selfless giving, find ways to give. Giving does not have to be monetary. It could be as simple as giving your time or your full attention to someone who is lonely. Maybe you could invite someone over to spend Christmas with you and your family. Small gestures like these can give you the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone else. Giving love in that fashion really keeps Christ at the center.
Regardless of how you choose to show it, keeping Christ at the center comes with intention and purpose. Yes, enjoy the music, the food, your family, and friends. However, don’t forget to celebrate the birth of Jesus, because after all, he is the true reason for the season and the source of all our joy and hope. Without him, there is no Christmas spirit to enjoy.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending the gift of Jesus to be our Savior. In this Christmas season, help me not to get distracted by all the things Christmas has become and to keep Christ at the center of everything we do. Open my heart to see those around me and let your heart of giving overflow in me with generosity toward others. I pray I would not just give gifts but, more importantly, show people kindness and hospitality so that they would not just know Jesus is why we celebrate but that they would see it by the things I do. Thank you again for the greatest gift ever given, and let the light of Jesus shine through my life not just in this season but in every season.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
Related Resource: Be Still - Advent Meditations
This Advent season can be full and hurried, which is exactly why we need moments to pause and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you space to be with God - and this month, we're walking through Advent Meditations all designed to help you quiet yourself and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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