Christmas by the Hour; How to Keep a Christ-Centered Christmas
7.12.10
I would love to share with you today a great family tradition we started several years ago that has helped us to keep Jesus at the center of our celebration in a very tangible, practical way every Christmas's Eve followed by Christmas Day.
Two weeks ahead of Christmas I start to plan different activities, I jot down each one of them and keep them inside a decorated envelope in a basket. We keep an eye on the clock and every hour and a half one of us (taking turns), goes to the basket and grabs and activity for all of us to do. Some of the activities are:
* Reading specific Bible verses that tell us about Jesus' coming, about the wonderful mystery of The Incarnation: The Gift of the Word is open.
* Singing Hymns. We have the name of several hymns (and the lyrics for them) in the basket: We bring Him worship.
* Reading short Christmas stories. Little kids enjoy this activity a lot; they like to remember the story of Jesus coming as a baby in a manger: We remember, we gaze at the miracle.
* Praying, thanking. You might find a little note in an envelope saying: Lift up your voice in prayer: We come and bow down in prayer; He came to open the Way, He is the Way.
* There will be some beautiful poetry to read (I found some beautiful poems at Desiring God by John Piper, and this other one by Monica, White. ) These poems are a beautiful way to remember, to worship.
Any suggestions? What would YOU add to the basket?
May you start all your preparations full of anticipation and joy!
May God give you a Christmas full of Him!
Celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord! Read other related posts...
Related posts around the corner:
Have you thought about The Mystery of His coming? Please read this, over at Rebecca's.
What about reading 12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon?
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This post is linked to Desiring Virtue
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Under His sun and by His grace,
Becky