The Advent and Christmas Seasons could be the most Christ-centered time of year, but I find that the hustle and bustle of this time of year can leave me feeling disconnected from God, and struggling to stay focused on the real reason for celebrating.
As someone who didn’t grow up in a religious household, I’ve had to start from scratch in building Christ-focused traditions for my family. I put together this list of ideas to help. I’ll be putting some of these into practice, and hopefully they’ll help you too!
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1. Making memories
As a mother, I’ve noticed how the things we did in my daughter’s first few years became traditions that she wants to return to year after year. Whether it’s decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music, making a yule log, or constructing a gingerbread house, these traditions stick in her memory and strengthen our family bond.
However, it’s never too late to add in a Christ-focused tradition. We plan to add some religious carols to our playlist, read one of the 24 chapters of Luke each day of Advent, and bake dreikönigskuchen (three kings cake). I’ve found that anything that adds to the festive cheer is usually welcomed.
2. Advent anticipation
While Advent may be full of rushing around buying presents and making preparations, it can also be a time to relive the story of Christ. I received an Advent devotional last year and I loved the opportunity to have little bite-sized moments of reflection on the Christmas story each day. There are many different Advent devotionals to choose from. You could even read one out each night under the glow of an Advent candle.
3. Back to the roots
You may be aware that the concept of Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop who was known for his secret gifts and compassion. Our modern day Santa with the red suit and white beard actually comes from Coca-Cola marketing. This Advent, I’m reading “The True Saint Nicholas,” by William J. Bennett to get back to the roots of the Christ-like message. “The Story of Saint Nicholas” by Laura Wagner is a great picture book version for children.
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4. Incorporating the senses
Christmas is all about the five senses: the songs we hear in the build up to the big day, the tastes of mulled wine and spiced cookies, the scent of pine trees and the wafting fumes of dinner cooking. Our memories, too, are all about the senses, and the smells, tastes, and songs we love to return to year after year. We can build in traditions for the senses that are focused on Christ. For sound it could be beautiful carols that bring the focus back to Jesus and the Gospel such as “O come, O come Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” For taste, a fun meal for when you’re just too wiped out from Christmas planning to cook is a shepherd’s supper — eating what the shepherds ate. It could be a simple selection of fruit, nuts, bread, olives, and cheese beside the fire with the nativity story. For smell, frankincense and myrrh essential oils can be diffused as a reminder of the nativity story.
5. Giving and volunteering
As we focus time and energy on our own families, we can get so busy that we may forget there are many who struggle at this time of year. Jesus never forgot the poor, so we can stay close to him by remembering his message. It could be donating time and resources to good causes, like volunteering at a local soup kitchen or buying presents to give to people in need. Your church might have some good suggestions of how to get involved.
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6. Attending church
All of my family members apart from my newly converted husband are non-believers, which can lead to me feeling distracted from the reason for the season. However, Christmas is also a great opportunity to be in church as much as possible, inviting family and friends with us. In my home country of the UK a “quiet revival” is taking place with more and more people becoming interested in the Christian faith. I’m hoping and praying that this year, more and more people will remember the reason for the season, and that my extended family will accept my invitation to church!
7. Presence before presents
I haven’t always had a routine with prayer, but finally got one established after a book called He introduces a simple method of reading and praying through the psalms each day. One thing I intend to do throughout Advent is keep my regular prayer routine, even as the festivities take over. Even if that means hiding in the bathroom with my Bible, I will find a way!
8. Praying for opportunities
Above all else I’ll be praying for Holy Spirit-led opportunities to talk about why we celebrate. It may seem like an impossible task sometimes to keep Christ in Christmas, but I can do all things through him.
