Celebrating a Christian Christmas

How do you have a Christian Christmas? What? Does that sound ridiculous or what?

If you look around I would bet you would have a hard time distinguishing between Christians and non-Christians at Christmas time. Every year it seems to get more and more nuts! More parties, more activities, more spending, more food, more, more, more...

What happened? How did we get to this Christmas nuthouse?

There has to be some sanity in this somewhere. There has to be a way to have a Christian Christmas without driving yourself and everyone else completely crazy.

The good news is that there are some things you can do to start taking back control.

As a family, decide in advance the scheduled holiday activities that genuinely will contribute to your Christian Christmas. If you're attending that party or holiday event because you feel pressure to meet other people's expectations, then perhaps it's time to change your direction. Not everyone is going to like this new direction, but taking back control of your holidays means pleasing God and doing whatever is necessary to keep your sanity.

Unfortunately, there will always be pressure from other people coming at you from all directions during the holidays. Here's your chance to let others see you live out your faith. Saying you're a Christian is one thing........but actually acting like one at Christmas....that's a lot harder.

Make the schedule for your holiday plans known to family and friends a long time in advance. Explain that as a family, you've decided to participate in holiday activities that can make a difference for someone else. Why not trade your family gift exchange and instead pool the money for a needy family. Or maybe you commit to spend only on things that will make your family truly understand and appreciate the intent of the season. And don't forget to set the example for all those extended family members. You'll be surprised how others will follow your lead. They just need someone to show them the way.

Give other people a break. Stop putting pressure on others to meet your holiday expectations. Yup, you may be putting as much stress on others as they are putting on you. A real shocker, huh? If people can't make it to your holiday party, the world won't stop turning. Show others what it means to give others a break this time of year. They will appreciate it as much as you would.

Here's an entire packet of ideas. This packet contains great stuff starting in advent and going all the way to Christmas. Sometimes the hardest part of changing is coming up with ideas about what to do.

Lastly, as a family, get everyone to commit not to overspend. There is nothing Christian about getting into debt just to satisfy a lot of unreasonable demands and expectations. God always looks at motive, no matter what you do. This one may be very difficult and may take some time to implement, but it's better to take small steps than none at all.

OK, so now you've heard my ideas. I know there are hundreds more out there. How did you take the chaos out of your holidays? What works for your family? What traditions are you starting?

Let's Hear Your Best Ideas....

Here's your chance to truly bless another family with your ideas to make the holidays very special this year. And don't forget to click at the bottom of the page to see GREAT ideas from other people.

OK...So what works for your family?

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Celebrating a Christian Christmas (top of page)

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