As Christmas approaches, this is a meaningful time to strengthen relationships with both your physical family and your spiritual family. Christmas has a way of gathering people together, but it also reminds us how much we need one another. Here are a few simple, practical ways to lean into that blessing while keeping our minds on the Lord.
Put down the phone and be present. Choose a face-to-face conversation over another scroll or text. Nothing replaces kind words spoken in person and sincere attention given to someone you love. This season is a great time to practice genuine love and honor within the home. (Romans 12:9–13)
Worship with the saints—and bring someone with you. When family visits, invite them to join you for worship and time with the church. Christmas can open doors for spiritual conversations that might not happen any other time of year. And for many, this season can be heavy on hearts—people need their spiritual family more than they may admit. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…” (Hebrews 10:24)
Read the Word with fresh Christ-filled eyes. Christmas is a powerful opportunity to point hearts back to Jesus. Take time before the day arrives to read (or reread) the story of Christ and the hope He brings. Like the Bereans, let’s be people who search the Scriptures with readiness. (Acts 17:11) Consider reading Luke 2, Matthew 1, John 1, and Isaiah 9:6–7.
Serve in ways that reflect the love of Christ. Christmas creates countless opportunities to serve—preparing food, checking on someone who may be lonely, helping a member in need, or quietly meeting a need without being asked. These moments may feel small, but they honor the Lord. “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
The Lord blesses us with many opportunities every year, but Christmas has a special way of putting them right in front of us. Let’s use this season to strengthen our relationships—and to keep Christ at the center of it all.
By the time you read this, the first few days of December have already passed by and the others are coming quickly. I am never sure if it is just the time of the year with all the holidays or the face that I am getting a little older, but the time seems to move more quickly at the end of each year. This quick passage of time reminds me of the inspired words of James, “For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4.14, ESV)
God must have a place in our time on earth. Without God, there would be no time. Be sure your life is not so busy making a living that you forget to live for eternity. The parable of the Rich Fool is a great reminder of how we use our time. The rich fool, amid gathering possessions, made no place for God.
One night, the rich man’s soul was required of him by the Creator of time. (Luke 12.16-23)
Are you making time for God?
Christians must remember that time is a gift. Realizing that God has given each person a gift of time can make or break the way they handle their time. For instance, remember each day is filled with 24 hours, or 1,440 minutes, or even 86,400 seconds. Do we handle our time well in His sight? Remember Ephesians 5.15-16.
Christians must remember our time in the place they are is for a greater purpose. I am a firm believer that wherever you are in life, at whatever time, you are there for a reason. Your time in this life is something of noble purpose. For instance, notice the verses below,
“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4.13-14, ESV)
Mordecai encourages Esther to take action because of her position in the time they were living. Reread the story of Esther and notice her place and the purpose she was able to live.
Christians must remember their time involves other people. There are certain people in this world who are always late. It might never occur to them when they are late. They show that your time does not matter. Be considerate of others and at least call ahead when you are going late. Remember that your time also needs to be one of service to your fellow man. Consider verses like Galatians 6.10 and Romans 12.9-21.
Also remember this verse from Philippians: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2.4, ESV)
A Christian’s time is important for many reason other than those listed above. Even Solomon, in all of his wisdom, riches and position as king, reflected on how life passes quickly in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Allow me to offer some suggestions on maximizing our time (spiritually).
Commit to one of these for a month and see if you grow spiritually.
Get up 15 minutes earlier and spend part of that time in prayer.
Go to bed 15 minutes later and spent part of the time praying with/for your family.
Encourage one person a day (send a card, email, phone call).
Read one Psalm a day.
Buy the Bible on CD and listen to it in your car—Build knowledge while driving.
During the Christmas season, many people will leave Jesus at the manger.
Where have you left Jesus?
To view the PowerPoint of the lesson below, click the arrows and the bottom. Once you click the arrow, give it a moment to change the slide before clicking again.
It is that time of year again where the holidays are upon us. We have already pass through Thanksgiving Day and we are pressing on towards Christmas and then to break in a new year. It is during these times a church family is important due to the emotional strain the holidays may bring. During the holiday season, memories come to the forefront of our minds and those thoughts can make one feel sad, lonely or depressed.
People to remember during the holidays:
Those who have lost loved ones – Having a family member pass away breaks one’s heart and the holidays can revive some of those memories. This time of year brings back memories of good times from our childhood to the current day and many of those memories feature people who have passed on from this Earthly life. Remember the widowers, widows, parents who lost children, siblings, grandparents and more.
Those without close families – Whether by distance or other factors, there are individuals who will not be near any family during the holidays. Being away from family as others attend family celebrations can make the holidays difficult and lonely. Remember those who are not near their families and remember those who have family members away (example – military).
There are several more groups we could mention, but each of us probably has a connection to someone in one of these groups. There are several Bible verses we could mention but remember this one, “…all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.35)
In a few short weeks, the world will turn to look and discuss the Messiah. Every year, one day has the world looking at the cradle which would rock the world. Whether you celebrate December 25th as the birth of Christ or another holiday in the giving/receiving of gifts, the fact is, people are thinking about the baby Jesus. Most likely, your family and friends will be thinking about Jesus.
While we know that Jesus grew into a man, the Christmas season causes us to reflect on the baby Jesus. It was a humble birth that God chose to bring His Son into the world. It would not be a birth that would amaze the world as it does now, but it would be a quiet entrance of the Promised Deliverer.
The first years would be a silent reflection of the humility of His life. Common people would be His first visitors and around two years of age magi from the east would bring Him earthly, honorable gifts. As His life would be sought by a power-hungry king, His family would become refugees. Finally, returning to His homeland, His family settled in a common town.
Amazingly enough, the Messiah grew up among the people without notice. Even after He grew into adulthood and began His earthly ministry, the people still saw His as Joseph and Mary’s boy. As His fame was growing and multitudes followed Him, some still saw Him as an earthly man and others saw Him as the Messiah the nation had waited so long to see. To the latter, He was their deliverer, their Savior, their King.
