Your Guide to a Meaningful and God-Centered Holiday
e are very excited to celebrate the holidays with you. God put it on our hearts to have “A Peace-Filled Christmas” this year, so we put together this little guide of scriptures and challenges for you and your family. It’s full of things you and your family can do during the twelve days leading up to Christmas to help make the holidays more memorable, more meaningful, and to keep them centered on God.
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We’re also planning a wonderful time of refreshment and peace at Faith Life Church this Christmas beginning with our special Christmas Eve family services at 6:00pm and 8:00pm. We’ll celebrate with music, a kid’s drama, and the true meaning of Christmas. We’ll also have just one service on Christmas Day at 10:00am to give people more time with their families. Be sure to invite your friends and your family to share in these special Christmas services. We look forward to spending a peace-filled Christmas with you!
Pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee
D ay O ne, December 14
D ay Two, December 15
Rest
Serve
Psalm 46:10
Matthew 23:11-12
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who
among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble
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ick off the Twelve Days to Christmas and set the tone for your holidays by resting. Challenge yourself and each person in your
family to rest for at least 30 minutes alone and in a quiet place. Close your eyes and let the stress go. Throw off your cares and rest in the arms
themselves will be exalted.
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ho in your life needs help? Is it a new mom who needs a meal? A friend who needs some cleaning help? Someone who could use
a phone call of encouragement? Have each person in your family help
of Jesus. It takes a conscious effort to be still and know that He is God,
with serving this person in need. Or, have each person in your family
but after all, that’s who Christmas is all about.
serve each other by trading responsibilities for awhile. Have the kids clean each other’s rooms. Serve your spouse by taking time to help them with a task they have to do.
D ay Three, December 16
D ay Four, December 17
P ray
Family
Matthew 21:22
Joshua 24:15
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
ather as a family and put on some quiet worship music. Take a
n our fast-paced society, everyone is constantly connected to a
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over certain requests. Praying together is so powerful that the enemy
Have everyone in your family disconnect from TV, social media,
tries to keep us from ever taking that time. This Christmas, take the time
computers, and anything else that is a distraction from being together.
few minutes and ask each person what prayer requests they have
today. Write them down in a notebook. Then, assign each person to pray
to get the family on the same page spiritually.
steady stream of voices. Challenge yourself and your family to
unplug today (or on a day when everyone is off from work and school).
Take this time to actually listen to one another. Play board games. Talk. Relax. Go sledding. Look at pictures. Put on a family talent show. Most of all, listen to what is going on in each other’s lives. And, take the opportunity to listen to God.
D ay F ive, December 18
D ay Six, December 19
Feast
G ive
Esther 9:17
Luke 6:38
… they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. ave each family member make (or buy) their favorite food for a
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fun “feast of favorites” together. Take this time to sit down at the
dinner table—with the TV and cell phones OFF—and celebrate the joys of togetherness. If you don’t have family near, invite some friends over for a feast of friendship.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
ave each person in the family set aside some things that they can
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give to someone in need. Gather together like-new toys, clothing,
and household items that could really brighten someone else’s holiday this year, and donate them to a shelter, inner city outreach, or family you know who may be in need. Not only will this clear out space for new presents this year, but it will teach your children what Christmas really means—how God gave His Son to us, so that we can give to others. Next, as a family, decide on a special Christmas offering that you can bring to God as thanks for what He has given you. Sow this offering on Christmas weekend for what you are believing to see happen in your life in 2012.
D ay S even, December 20
D ay Eight, December 21
Love
Rejoice
John 13:34
Philippians 4:4-7
Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let
same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
see the love you have for each other.
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
hallenge yourself and your family to shut out ALL negative words
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of strife, cut-down remarks, and gossip today. If someone violates
the challenge, they must put a dollar in a jar. Whoever didn’t have to pay anything all day gets what is in the jar at the end of the day. If you’re married, try to take time out to go on a lunch or dinner date together. For a
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. here are many things we can do each day to increase our
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happiness and lift our spirit. Today, choose one or two of the
following activities to increase your happiness:
fun challenge during the date, try to share at least twenty things you love
1) Bundle up and take a brisk walk with someone you love.
about each other. If you’re not married, take time to love on a friend by
2) Take 30 minutes and find as many scriptures as you can about joy.
getting them an unexpected gift thanking them for their friendship.
Write them down and say them out loud. 3) Throw away clutter in an area you’ve been meaning to clear out. Ask yourself
Love is only real when it is expressed through action.
if whatever you come across is making your life happier. If not, donate it. 4) Write letters to four people with whom you’ve been meaning to catch up. 5) Allow yourself 30 minutes to do whatever you want to do. Read a book. Eat a Christmas cookie. Play your favorite sport. Celebrate the things that make you unique!
D ay Nine, December 22
D ay Ten, December 23
Laugh
Remember
Proverbs 15:13 MSG
Nehemiah 4:14
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for
makes it hard to get through the day.
your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and
rab some snacks and some DVDs of your favorite Christian
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comedian or funny old movies, and gather around and laugh
together. Share your funniest or most embarrassing moments, take silly pictures, or play a funny game like charades.
your homes. it down with your family for 30 minutes and remember all of
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the good times and the funny memories of Christmases past. Ask
your kids to share what their favorite Christmas has been so far and why. Spend time together remembering all that God has done.
D ay Eleven, December 24
D ay Twelve, December 25
Worship
Celebrate
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
incomparably great power for us who believe.
Prince of Peace.
Ephesians 1:18-19
ull out a piece of paper and get everyone to help make a list of
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things you are thankful for. Be sure the list includes non-material
Isaiah 9:6
M
erry Christmas! Celebrate the birth of our Savior! Take time to celebrate the special traditions you have with your family.
items, such as health, happiness, etc. Take a moment to thank God for all
Read the Christmas story together. Enjoy the things that money can’t
of these things. Post this piece of paper on the refrigerator so everyone can
buy: love, laughter, happiness, togetherness, family, friendship…
see it all day long.
And join us at 10am for a special, combined
Then, join us at Faith Life Church for a wonderful Christmas Eve
Christmas service at Faith Life Church
service filled with music, laughter, candlelight, communion, and the true
(which will be different from our
meaning of Christmas! Take time with your family to come express your
Christmas Eve services), and
gratefulness to God for all He has done and for who He is. We’ll see you
help us wish Jesus a
at 6pm or 8pm for “A Peace-Filled Christmas” Celebration.
Happy Birthday!
Come experience the good life. faithlifechurch.org 740.964.7400