After Thanksgiving, mom turns her attention toward Christmas. She begins by looking for boxes of Christmas decorations in the attic. She’s a little discouraged when it takes several hours to find the decorations, but her heart is filled with joy when she notices the popsicle stick nativity ornament one of her kids made a few years ago.
The next day, she begins decorating her family’s home. She rounds up her kids and helps them put ornaments on the Christmas tree. An ornament slips out of little hands and shatters on the floor, but mom quickly sweeps it up.
A few days later, she spends an afternoon baking. She bakes several dozen snowflake-shaped sugar cookies and one gingerbread house. She leaves some sugar cookies in the oven too long, and it sets off the smoke alarm. She feels overwhelmed, but then she smiles and laughs as her kids energetically decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles.
The next morning, she sends the kids to school with bundles of gifts and sweets for their teachers and their classmates. After school, the kids make lists and write letters to Santa requesting toys, and games, and stockings full of candy. In the evening, mom helps her kids prepare for their parts in the upcoming Christmas recital at school.
The following week, mom does the Christmas shopping during her lunch break at work. She makes sure everyone in the family gets something on their list. The next morning, with only 3 hours of sleep, she wraps each of the gifts before the winter sunrise, and she tucks them away until December 25th.
A week later, mom rushes to the school and barely makes it on time for the Christmas recital. She was held up by her boss. She finds her seat in the auditorium and smiles proudly as her kids perform. Mom manages to accomplish all these extra tasks, along with her usual routine of cooking, cleaning, and going to work at the office. Mom is always busy taking care of everyone and everything. It is easy for mom to get overwhelmed and stressed and to forget the reason for celebrating. Matthew 1:21 says,
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Christmas is a time when family and friends enjoy a festive dinner, gather around the fire, and unwrap their gifts. But the greatest gift anyone can ever receive is the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Unwrap the gift of salvation, and share the first story of Christmas with your family and friends. As parents, the greatest gift we can give our children is teaching them about Jesus and why He is the reason to celebrate Christmas. It is Jesus’ birthday! He saved us from our sins.
There is nothing wrong with trying to make the holidays perfect for your family, but don’t forget why you are celebrating. Don’t let yourself get overextended with all the preparations and festivities. Enjoy the quiet moments and the busy days.
Take your kids to the Christmas service at church on Christmas Eve. Read the first Christmas story to your kids before you tuck them into bed at night. Luke 2:8-11 says,
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Pray with your children and teach them about Jesus, so they will grow up knowing Him. Teach them why GOD came down from Heaven and what He did for us while He was here. Teach them to look forward to that day when He will come again. Celebrate Him!
