I just heard this wonderful song it says it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGEbfP3Afbg&feature=related
Why do we get excited for Christmas? Our traditions get us excited; putting up the tree, making Christmas cookies with grandma, Christmas music that brings the Christmas spirit, cozy dinners with family and of course the gifts. This year I have been very convicted that the only traditions I have that revolve around the awaiting of the birth of Christ is going to the Christmas Eve service. Christmas Must Be Something More, more to be excited about then the snow. I am comforted that God likes our traditions and the things that get us excited. He likes that we are serving each other and celebrating something together. But also it is a season of gratefulness to our Father for bringing his only son to save our lives and a fullfullment that comes with preparing our hearts for the Birth of Christ.
This year I am re-devoting Christmas; remembering the celebration, not forgetting about our old traditions but making new more fulling ones. I have been encouraged by others ideas, here are some:
1) Sue Monk Kidd in her book, When the Heart Waits, says when she was younger she would sit by the wooden nativity around Christmas time and be with God, thinking about her last year and the coming Jesus.She also said after visiting a monastery a monk said to her instead of Merry Christmas, he said, "May Christ be born in you." She didn't understand what his words ment then but now she discovered that Advent is a time of spiritual preparation and transformation.She said, "it is discovering our souls and letting Christ be born form the waiting heart." This story makes me think what the Christmas season for me would really be like if it was about my heart, waiting?
2) In the video about the Advent Conspiracy the people were rethinking gift giving and spending. Several families were giving only homemade gifts. They said the homemade gifts ended up being more special then something ever bought. Also, it may sound far fetch but some families instead of giving physical gifts gave coupons for gift of time/service.The coupons were for things like, babysitting, help with a home project, free picnic on you or movie night. If you visit www.rethinkingchristmas.com, they have a whole bunch of ideas for giving the gift of your time.The last idea that the video encouraged was giving to the needy in the name of that person. There are countless ministries you can donate too to dig wells for poverty stricken families, or mosquito nets for a villages to prevent Malaria or a goat for a family in Africa. You can even donate to local mission or volunteer. Gift giving this way makes the season of giving way less superficial and more special.
3) I have a friend who's family's Christmas Eve tradition is making a homemade cake that say's "Happy Birthday Jesus." On Christmas morning they eat it for breakfast and celebrate the birth of Christ. I love this tradition, it is a fun way to recognize Christmas for what it is.
4) The Idea that I had was a countdown to Christmas. On December 1, 25 days till Christmas, you begin to read a short passage from beginning Luke about the Nativity. After the passage reading you would put a coordinating ornament on the tree. Example: When the Angel came to Mary about her conceiving a child from the Holy Spirit, you would put an angel or dove on the tree. Everyday you would do this until Christmas day when you would read about the Birth of Christ and place a baby ornament on the tree. This would be a way for you to remember Advent everyday and await the birth, plus you get to continue to decorate the tree all through December.
The Advent Conspiracy is a way to say, " Here's To The Birthday Boy, Who Saved Our Lives!"
I would love to hear some of your idea about re-devoting Christmas.
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