Merry Christ Like

Tis the season to be jolly….but not everyone is excited about Christmas. If this holiday season brings you more anguish than jolly, it could very well be that you need to view it through a different lens. So, let’s try this again. Tis the season to more Christ Like. This holiday season is the perfect time to focus more on Jesus Christ than shopping, decorations, and cookies. I’m not saying that those things are wrong, I enjoy doing them all, but if it’s causing stress and consuming most of your time and focus, then it becomes problematic. I actually stopped Christmas decorating for a couple years to make sure my heart was guarded against idolatry and commercialism. I needed to make sure my intentions and my heart were in the right place. Being intentional about making Jesus the center of your Christmas celebration brings about peace and a sense of responsibility. When you’re focused on celebrating Christ, everything else is put in its proper place and doesn’t become burdensome.  So if you want to be intentional about having Christ be the center of your Christmas holiday, here are some activities you can consider to be more like Christ:

1. Forgiveness – Christmas is the perfect time to let go of past grudges and disagreements. In fact, this is so important to Christ, that He doesn’t even want you to give Him a gift offering until you do this.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-24 NLT).

It’s more important to Jesus that you make things right between yourself and others than giving an offering in church.

2. Serve Others – Jesus made it clear that He didn’t come to this earth for selfish reasons, but He came to serve others.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT).

There are so many ways we can be in service to others this holiday season. Volunteer at a shelter, donate items that you no longer use to those who need them, visiting the sick and shut-in, are just a few ways to be of service to others. Think of ways to help someone who really needs it.

   3. Gift Giving – When Jesus was born, the wise men gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that symbolized his role as King, Priest and Savior (Matthew 2:11). So as you are preparing gifts for your loved ones, give them gifts that represent what and who they are to you. Be thoughtful in your gift decisions and don’t base it on a quantity or a dollar amount. Let your gift demonstrate what you feel about them. Remind them of who they are, God’s masterpiece, by including a scripture with your gift.

   4. Hospitality – if you are hosting a party for the Christmas holiday, remember what Jesus told Lazarus’ sister Martha as her sister Mary sat at his feet listening to His message.

“But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42 NLT).”

Well, there you have it, Jesus wants us to choose the good part like Mary did, and that’s Him. Jesus is clearly letting us know that we shouldn’t be overwhelmed and consumed with preparing lavish dinners to the point where you become frustrated. Get some help, assign others responsibilities, don’t try to do it all yourself. Take some time to sit at Jesus’ feet, praying, listening to a message, or reading His word. You will be a more effective host if you are full of the love of Christ and not overwhelmed with details.

Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Be more intentional about behaving like Christ and allowing His characteristics to show up in you. Let the Christmas frenzy be a thing of the past. Put Christ in the center of your Christmas. Let’s celebrate our King the way He showed us, not the way the world shows us.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT