As we celebrate another Christmas in a few weeks, I pray that we will be careful to center this holiday on our Savior. Let’s make “Jesus the reason for the season” -- because He is! Here are a few pastoral suggestions to encourage and guide us in tangible ways to do that.

1) Decorations – use Christ-exalting symbols and decorations to re- mind you, your family, friends, and all who visit your home of the coming of the King. Everyone else overdoes Santa – focus on Christ.

2) Traditions – we all have our own traditions this time of year. I would suggest that we seek tra- ditions that point our families to Christ. Find ways to speak of the greatest gift that mankind has ever received! Perhaps tell the story of the first St. Nick (a devout Christian who sought to bless people). Read Luke 2 on Christmas Eve. Pray together thanking Jesus for coming to earth for us!

3) Bless – find ways that you can bless others. Be a St. Nicholas to your mailman, UPS man, garbage men, co-workers, and even strangers. Imagine what a small gift and card (testifying your faith) would do! When I have done this the recipients are usually stunned and it affects the way they interact with us year-round. Some cannot accept cash, but you can buy gift cards. I buy Starbucks cards. Add an invitation to our church. May the one who gave all of Himself, give you the spirit of giving!

4) Limit Materialism – What the “Occupy Wall Street” people forget is that Americans are in the top 1% of the world’s wealth. We have so much and many have so little. Christmas, if focused too much on presents, can be destructive. Consider using your money differently: adopt a Com- passion child, buy a goat (in lieu of a gift) for a poor community through Samaritan’s Purse, sup- port an orphanage (I love Amazima)! The needs are endless. Do your children really need all those imported plastic toys that will break soon anyway?! I have found that one of the most diffi- cult days of discipline in our house is Christmas day when the kids get all their toys!

5) Thankful – Let’s pray for receptive hearts to the King who is coming again! Let’s pray that we would be truly thankful in the midst of our hectic schedules – that our hearts would overflow with thanks and be able testify as in Luke 1: 46-47 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

I pray that this Christmas season will be like none other. And that the King of Kings, who entered into this world of chaos, would become more meaningful to you and yours. May your hearts overflow with joy in knowing that Jesus has entered into your chaos to redeem you and make you His treasure!

Blessings in Christ,