Ke e p i n g C h r i s t i n Christmas H aving kids has made it difficult to avoid falling into the consumer trappings of Christmas. If I’m being honest, I can’t really pin the blame on having kids. I really do love the hours of shopping, the lists I can cross off, the wrapping paper, bows and giftgiving — I always have. But it’s so easy to lose focus and forget why we’re celebrating the holiday in the first place. That old adage, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” is as important now as it was when I first heard it as a child. I pray that I can do better with my children by continually showing them what the Christmas season is all about. As my children are getting older, they want to see Christmas in action. They don’t just want to read about Jesus coming to earth as a baby, they want to see Him making an impact in their life and in the lives of those around them. My kids love the Compassion Pop-Up events our local church hosts, so I’m thinking we all could use practical ideas to keep Christ in Christmas. Here are a few ideas we’ll be trying:
AUTHOR
LaVonne Long
58
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
» ADVENT CALENDAR - Wrap up 25 Christian books for kids and open one each day in December until Christmas day. They can even be books that you own. You might even find books at your local library or church library that you can return after Christmas. Also, don’t forget to visit your local Adventist Book Center. » GIFTS FOR SERVICE WORKERS - Do you give gifts to your delivery drivers, post office workers or garbage collectors? How about your local police or fire departments? These are all great people and places to give to during the Christmas season. Don’t forget to include your kids in every stage of gift-giving.
