Keep Christ at the Center

By Alison Gerrans*

Strong autumn breezes blow, sending leaves sailing from the trees to form a quilt of colors covering the ground. Apples are picked, washed, cut, and made into applesauce, apple butter, apple chips, apple crisp. Pumpkins turn orange in gardens and soon after, are given carved faces and placed on front porches to watch over yards. In time, snow covers the brown grass and empty fields, blanketing the earth for the winter.

Photo by Jonathan Gerrans

As we see these physical changes, our hearts race with the excitement that the holidays bring. Thanksgiving fills kitchens with the happy chatter of family and friends as they bustle about preparing food. Smells of stuffings and spices and pumpkin pies fill the air. And as soon as the festivities from Thanksgiving die down, Christmas cheer arrives, buoying up the spirits of all those who celebrate Christ’s birth. But in this busy time of year, how can we remember to think of God and the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ? Here are a few ideas to try keeping the focus on Christ during this holiday season.

Music
Try to include a Christian aspect to your holiday playlist. Many of the Christmas carols we listen to each year contain Christian symbols. This year, make a point to listen to the words in your favourite Christmas songs and really think about why we celebrate the day. Another way to bring Christ into your home during the holidays is to slow down and enjoy sacred music together as a family. Sing or play carols as a family in the soft light from the Christmas tree and candles. It can help bring our minds to dwell on Jesus and His great gift, with the simple melodies and words in poetic form.

Decorations
How we decorate our houses, inside and out, shows what we regard most precious. When you look around your house and take in the holiday scene you created, will your mind be drawn to think about why we celebrate? As you decorate for the holidays this year, use items that make you think about our Savior. If you have special decorations that make you reminisce about past holidays, use those and discuss why they are special with your family. Or make new decorations together and remember, for years to come, when and why you created them. Place these memory-prompts in prominent places where you will be sure to see them daily. Use visual reminders to show that it is the ‘Christ’ in Christmas that is important.

Photo by Jonathan Gerrans

Give
One of the things that makes the holidays special is spending time with loved ones. While family and close friends are always near our hearts in this time of year, think of ways you can spend time with others around you. What can you do to impact your community? Try spreading Christmas cheer by caroling in your neighborhood. Deliver special gift baskets of homemade goodies to patients in a hospital or nursing home. In this busy world, time is precious, so give the gift of time and show those around you that you care.

Share
Share your talents and abilities with others. Are you good at poetry? Write a poem and share it at church. Can you sing? Join a choir and share the Good News through song. Everyone has some way to share. This season think about the gifts God has given you and brainstorm fun and creative ways to use them for His glory. And don’t forget to share about Him to those around you. Taking the time to reminisce about the past and how God has led is both encouraging and heart warming. It allows fellowship and encouragement by remembering how God is with us all the time.

*Originally written for the Topsham Trumpet, the newsletter of the Topsham SDA Church in Topsham, Maine. Written with the help of Glenda & Tyler Q, Beverly H, Sharlet T, and Jill R. Thank you all so much for taking the time to write me back and share your wonderful thoughts and ideas to help me with this article!! I couldn't have done it without you!