Guest Author - LeeAnn Bonds
Our children are grown and flourishing, for which we are truly grateful. They also can’t come home for Christmas, which kind of takes the wind out of our celebratory sails. We always did do a low-key version of Christmas, but this year it has seemed pointless to go to any trouble at all. But cheer up, I’m going to share with you some ideas that have infused sparkle and poignancy into our let’s-not-bother Christmas slump. Even if your children are still at home, and/or you love going at Christmas full bore, see if these ideas might imbue your celebration of Christ’s birth with a deeper peace and joy.
1. Think carefully about a Christmas tree. Pagan in origin it may or may not be, but a fragrant, beautiful evergreen tree is a cherished part of Christmas for most families. Do you buy a tree from a grocery store parking lot? Go to a tree farm and cut a fresh one? Tromp through your or a friend’s woods and choose a pretty little sapling? There are good reasons to choose any of these options, or even to use an artificial tree. But to make your choice meaningful, think about your reasons for it, and make sure they’re good ones. And consider inviting a single mom and her kids, or a lonely older person along for your tree buying/cutting excursion, and provide a tree for them, too. You’ll enjoy the whole adventure with fresh excitement.
2. Choose Christmas cards with care. There are many available featuring gorgeous covers and an eloquent gospel message. As of this writing it costs forty-four cents to send each card. You might as well make each one a gentle invitation to get to know the Savior. A Christmas letter can also do that job. We recently received a letter that included a story about one of our friend’s WWII experiences. He said he wasn’t aware of how hazardous his situation was at the time, or he would have been really scared. Then he said, “It makes me think of the many folks who haven’t accepted Christ as Savior and don’t realize the danger they are in.” After that he typed out Ephesians 3:17-19. So gentle, so moving was his plea. Perhaps you have a story that you can use for God’s glory in a Christmas letter.
3. Do you go Christmas caroling? Be sure to include many God-honoring hymns in your selections. Caroling is also a rare opportunity to leave a gift with each family for whom you sing, such as a gospel of John booklet, or the wonderful little 80 page book by John R. Cross, What are Christmas and Easter All About? See the links below for where to purchase it.
4. What would Christmas be without presents? You probably agree that America has gone off the deep end in this area. I encourage you first of all never to go into debt for Christmas gifts. Months of credit card payments and finance charges are not worth it for half an hour of frenzied wows. Second, consider buying a water buffalo. Or a goat, a backpack of school supplies, a water filter or something else from one of the missionary organization Christmas catalogs. Our boys loved this idea as they got older. They were right on board with buying small gifts for our Christmas stockings, and spending the rest of the Christmas savings account on an agreed upon choice to benefit a family in a far country. See the links below for reputable organizations.
5. Family gatherings at Christmas have provided fodder for many a regrettable movie. Often such a visit is deemed non-negotiable, even if you know it will be stressful. Let me encourage you to prepare a strategy ahead of time. If there are damaged relationships, perhaps you can take a step toward reconciliation or forgiveness. If there will be temptations to lose your temper or overindulge, steel yourself against that beforehand. Whatever the atmosphere of the gathering, determine in your heart to be an ambassador for Christ the entire time. Be gracious, humble, helpful, selfless. Read I Corinthians 13 often to remind yourself how love behaves. Ask friends for prayer support if you know the occasion will be difficult for you. If on the other hand, your family gatherings overflow with joy and sweet fellowship, don’t forget to express your gratitude for this tremendous blessing.
However you choose to celebrate Jesus coming to earth to save us, do it in love, in peace, and with a strong desire to please Him with your thoughts, words, and actions. Merry Christmas!
