Ways to Bring Jesus Back into Christmas

When you think of Christmas what comes to mind? Christmas markets and shopping to buy all the presents to go under the tree, going all out with Christmas lights and Santa inflatables. Catching all the feels with Christmas movies. There are many things we associate with Christmas, and many don’t involve the reason for Christmas.

Countless cards and decorations take Christ out of Christmas and gradually it’s become the same with Christmas as a whole. It is now seen as a consumerist, materialist holiday with no real meaning besides spreading joy and bringing some light into winter.

But what about the real light behind this season that’s getting forgotten by the world? What about Jesus? This season is about him, Jesus’ birth is the reason for the season. If you want to bring Jesus back into Christmas here are some ideas for you.

Advent and Carol Services

Advent services are a great way to count down the weeks until Christmas and build up the anticipation for the day itself. Even though the themes are the same every year there is always something different to learn or be reminded of.

You don’t have to wait until Christmas Eve to go to a carol service. Some churches hold special services on the run-up to Christmas and they’re a great way to have fun singing Christmas songs and sharing in fellowship.

Nativity Plays

Perhaps you have kids performing in their school nativity or you’re just going to stream a Nativity movie online (I recommend the Nativity! series of films), regardless these performances help bring the Nativity story to life. And if kids are involved it will certainly be very entertaining.

Giving back to the community

Is there any better way to bring Jesus into Christmas than to do what He would?

Whether you give your time by volunteering with the local Christmas festivities or with a charity. There’s nothing better than doing good, and it’s guaranteed to make you feel good too.

Or maybe you don’t have the time to volunteer because you’ll be working right up to Christmas Day, but you still want to give. Donating old clothes or books, or donating food to a food bank could help provide a better Christmas for those who can’t afford such things and struggle to feed their families.

Giving money is also a good option, you can give to local charities and see the good coming out in your community or give to international charities like Compassion to share the love across the world.

Fast

Maybe you want to take it one step further and do a fast to prepare for Christmas. By fasting you will be forced to turn to God for strength and your relationship with Him will be strengthened as a result. Or perhaps you will do a social media fast so you can spend time with friends and family without distraction and be present in each moment.

Daily Devotional

Devotionals at the start or end of the day (or both) are a great way to get your mind focused on Jesus. So why not do an Advent or Christmas devotional this Christmas? I use the Youversion Bible app which has hundreds of devotionals to choose from.

Biblical décor

Forget the Santa’s and the reindeer. Remove the snowmen and penguins. I’m just kidding but it is a good idea to bring some biblical decorations into your home. Whether it’s a miniature Nativity set or an angel figurine. Some biblical décor will help remind you of the reason for the season.

Read the Christmas story.

Take the time to open up your Bible and remind yourself of the Christmas story beginning with the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary and ending with the escape to Egypt. Between Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 1 and 2, you’ll find the full story. You could make it a family tradition to read it together each year.

Christian Christmas cards

Shops are full of Christmas cards depicting snowmen and reindeer. Or supposedly funny and crude jokes and reminders that you don’t fit in this world. Why not send Christian Christmas cards or make your own that not only send your holiday greetings but can be an opportunity to share the gospel with people you know.

Buy gifts that support charities or shop locally.

It’s good to give gifts to friends and family to show our love and appreciation for them but it’s better to buy gifts that have meaning or support good work. This year (if you aren’t super organised and haven’t already completed your shopping) why not support charities by buying gifts from their websites? Or shop local to support your local community and make some shop owners very happy rather than supporting the big brands that don’t rely on sales just to survive. You could even make your own handmade gifts rather than buy them.

Forgive

Have you been holding on to a grudge for a while now? Hating someone for no reason? Take this as a sign to forgive them. Holding onto that will only bring bitterness and pain. So let it go and let love take its place. Forgive others as God has forgiven you.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive hum, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”
Mark 11:25

Invite people to church or church events.

One of the best things about this season is the willingness people have to step into church buildings compared to the rest of the year. In an increasingly secular world, Christmas is one of the few seasons that people are willing to lay their beliefs aside and come to church, sometimes because of their kids or sometimes just for the feeling that churches bring at Christmas. So take the opportunity and invite a friend or two, if they say no that’s okay but you should at least try.

Christian entertainment

What do you do in your downtime? Do you listen to music? Maybe you read a book? Or are your evenings spent in front of the TV?

Whatever you do why not incorporate Jesus into it? Instead of watching Home Alone again why not watch a Christian Christmas movie like The Perfect Gift? Blast Anne Wilson’s Christmas EP ‘The Manger’ through the speakers. Why not get cosy under a blanket and read Lee Strobel’s ‘The Case for Christmas’? If fiction’s your thing you could find a page-turner in Melody Carlson’s ‘A Royal Christmas’. The point is that while mainstream media and TV is good not all it contains is. It’s better to consume things that support Christian values like Angel Studios movies and shows.

Times of reflection, prayer and worship daily

Most importantly, dedicate time to Jesus each day. Have times of reflection to think about what you’re grateful for and what you hope will come true. Give your hopes and worries to God and ask Him to help you keep focused on Him in this season. Make time to worship Him, why not invite some friends around and have a worship night together?

Making that time for God daily will help you to keep focused on Him this season.

However you celebrate Christmas I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration on how to bring Jesus back into your festivities.