Christmas
CELEBRATE CHRIST
The Real Christmas Story
Blessings, sweet friends, as we share the real Christmas story with family and friends.Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
THANK YOU to everyone who gave generously on #GivingTuesday. I continue to be amazed at the expenses of social media ministry and unexpected ongoing ministry, so THANK YOU. No doubt, you bring a smile to our Heavenly Father as you do to me.
Over the next few weeks as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, I invite you to join me in “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” based on my devotional book by that name.
Blessings, sweet friends, as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s Mass.
“Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas” Devotional Book. Email me at debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com to get your own copy. Limited supplies available. $10.
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The Christmas Season and Jesus is the Reason
Does it seem to you that Christmas arrives faster every year, but that it’s gone before we know it? Yes, voices echo through workplaces and homes, “I haven’t put up my Christmas tree.” “I haven’t done my shopping or holiday cooking.” “I’m so far behind!” But, why all the hoopla? Why such a fuss? Are we putting stress on ourselves that is contrary to the very will of Christ who said to not worry about anything, to tell Him our needs, and not forget to thank Him for His answers? (Philippians 4:6-7) Slowing down each day to mindfully rest in Christ’s presence and thank Him for His provisions is a blessing we are wise not to neglect. Writing out our prayers and thanksgiving to God is a proven way to slow us down and make us more mindfully grateful. Prayers of My Heart Journal – a gift to yourself and others.
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we get in such a twit about worldly things instead of focusing on the one thing you said really matters – sitting at your feet. Help us daily do just that – rest in Your presence and glory in Your nearness. We love You.
If You Think You Have Nothing, Think Again
When you were little, did you go on a treasure hunt? Today, do you put your treasured valuables in a safety deposit box? The Bible tells us that believers have a treasure within them. What is the TREASURE? Second Corinthians 4:6-7 explains that the treasure is God – His Holy Spirit, the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining in our hearts. The treasure we carry about in our earthly bodies is God’s surpassing greatness of power. With humble reverence and gratefulness beyond measure, we bow and worship God for the great gift of His presence in us.
Lord, YOU are the TREASURE men seek, and we have You in our hearts. Help us present You well to others and share out of the surpassing greatness of Your power. We adore and worship You.
“GOD… is the One who has SHONE in our HEARTS to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. For we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”
God is a TREASURE. I hope you are recording each daily attribute in Prayers of My Heart. As you do, it becomes a treasured journal of who God is and how He’s working in your life. Prayers of My Heart – a meaningful gift for everyone on your Christmas list. Regular $14.99. On sale for as low as $7.50 now.
8 Ways to Keep the Spectacular in Christmas
Does all the commercialism surrounding Christmas bother you? Do you want to keep your heart and your family’s heart focused on the true meaning of Christmas? It’s possible. How? Focus your conversation, music, decorations, and stories on the spectacular of Christmas rather than the fake. Why? You’ll be reminded of the amazement of what our Heavenly Father did in sending Jesus to save us. You’ll spark the imagination and wonder of Christmas. You’ll build traditions of the true meaning of Christmas that you and your family will carry forever.
Does focusing on the true spiritual meaning of Christ mass mean that we ditz the culture around us? Not at all. Rather, it means we live with joy and lights of the spectacular.
Choose to Focus on the Spectacular in the Following 8 Ways
Today’s children are bombarded with Santa Claus, reindeer, and elf on a shelf. While they may be fun for the imagination, there are true, more spectacular imaginations on which they can think and get excited.
Elf On a Shelf
Fake: Santa sends Elf on a shelf from the North Pole to watch our children to see if they’re being naughty or nice. That’s rather ominous and scary. “Big brother” watching to catch our children being bad.
Spectacular: Our Heavenly Father sends angels from heaven to watch over our children and guard them. How lovely and true for our children and us to think on.
Tip: Place angels on the shelf.
Reindeer
Fake: Santa’s reindeer fly once a year on Christmas Eve. Movies typically depict a traumatic concern if they’re going to make it.
Spectacular: God’s angels fly between heaven and earth continually with everlasting power and majestic glory fighting evil and victoriously guiding our way.
Tip: Watch Christian movies on the birth of Christ and glorious, musical angelic announcement to the shepherds.
Gifts
Fake: Santa brings gifts once a year. There’s stress if he’ll get the right, longed for gift.
Spectacular: God gives us the gift of Jesus’s birth, life, forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, eternal life, and heaven. He gives us the daily gifts of life, the beauty of the sky, the sun, water, food, life, and one another. He’s gloriously faithful and generous to give us all these gifts.
Tip: Open your eyes and others to God’s gifts all around us. It’s proven that people who keep a gratitude journal are more optimistic about life. They’re mindful of God’s daily gifts. Prayers of My Heart journal has a Month at a Glance section where you and your family can record something for which you’re thankful each day. By daily being mindful of God’s gifts, you and your family will live a more optimistic life. An attitude of gratitude rather than stressing over what you don’t have is one of the greatest gifts God gives us.
Candy Canes
Fake: They mark the way to Santa’s workshop
Spectacular: Staffs symbolize the shepherds to whom the angels announced Jesus’s birth.
Tip: Hang candy canes on the Christmas tree. Read Luke 2:8-16.
Christmas Music
Fake: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
Spectacular: “Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come”
Tip: Listen to Christian Christmas music and play songs that are filled with the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Stories
Fake: “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Spectacular: “Jesus Birth in Bethlehem”
Tip: Read the Christmas story in Luke 2:1-14 at bedtime and help the family memorize it. My mother helped me memorize it as a child and it lives in my heart. Give your family this gift by memorizing a few verses at a time and adding more verses each year. Read or recite it Christmas morning.
Star
Fake: Guides Santa
Spectacular: Guides the wise men
Tip: Read Matthew 2:1-2. Decorate the Christmas tree with stars.
Christmas Plays
Fake: Santa’s workshop, elves, and reindeer costumes
Spectacular: The nativity, shepherds, and angel costumes
Tip: If you have children or grandchildren, make simple costumes out of pillow cases and scarves. Cotton ball sheep costumes and a baby doll Jesus in a blanket covered box are easy props. This is fun for children, and by acting out the Christmas story, they seal the true meaning of Christmas in their heart.
This year, give your family a spectacular Christmas. Does it mean you ignore or refuse all the secular? No. But it does mean you have the choice and the power to choose how you decorate your house and which books, movies, and songs you make the emphasis. I pray you and your family have a spectacular Christmas.
If You Think You Have Nothing, Think Again
When you were little, did you go on a treasure hunt? Today, do you put your treasured valuables in a safety deposit box? The Bible tells us that believers have a treasure within them. What is the TREASURE? Second Corinthians 4:6-7 explains that the treasure is God – His Holy Spirit, the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining in our hearts. The treasure we carry about in our earthly bodies is God’s surpassing greatness of power. With humble reverence and gratefulness beyond measure, we bow and worship God for the great gift of His presence in us.
Lord, YOU are the TREASURE men seek, and we have You in our hearts. Help us present You well to others and share out of the surpassing greatness of Your power. We adore and worship You.
“GOD… is the One who has SHONE in our HEARTS to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. For we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”
God is a TREASURE. I hope you are recording each daily attribute in Prayers of My Heart. As you do, it becomes a treasured journal of who God is and how He’s working in your life. Prayers of My Heart – a meaningful gift for everyone on your Christmas list. On sale for as low as $10.49 now.