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Keeping Christ in Christmas

At the Yuletide season someone always asks, “How can we keep Christ in Christmas?” The answer is simple—try! Christ can be kept at the center of your Christmas if you put forth an effort. Here is my recipe of three specific things that your family can do:

1. Remember the reason for the exchanging of gifts. This has become the dominant feature of Christmas for many families. Parents, make clear to children the reason for exchanging gifts—it is only symbolic of God’s great gift to us, namely Christ the Prince of Peace. Children should be taught to give as well as receive. It is best if children are encouraged to buy gifts with their own money, especially gifts for the needy. 

2. Keep Santa Claus in his place. I would not want to do away with the Santa Claus tradition. A certain amount of harmless make-believe is a part of a child’s growing up, and all children outgrow Santa in a few years’ time. But Santa should never be allowed to usurp the Christ Child’s place. Make sure children understand that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. When children are taught only about Santa Claus and nothing about Christ, Christmas becomes very empty of significance. 

3. Have a brief family worship on Christmas morning. Here is a simple plan:

First, have the family sing several carols together, such as “Silent Night” or “Joy to the World”—or listen to a recording of them.

Then, using images from the Internet or pictures on your religious Christmas cards, piece together the story of the birth of Christ as you recall it. Make it a game. You may begin by selecting a picture of the angel that appears to Mary and Joseph. Next, look for the city of Bethlehem, the shepherds, the wise men, the manger scene, etc. Then ask various members of the family to read aloud verses that pertain to these scenes. 

Finally, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Christ the Savior, our church, our nation, and our friends. Remember also those who are still in spiritual darkness around the world. Pray for “peace on earth, and good will toward men.”

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Paul W. Powell - www.PaulPowellLibrary.com

Today's Devotional

Senseless Tragedies

Once we buried a young lady who was only 21 years old. She was killed in a head-on collision while on her way to church. The night before the funeral, my daughter asked why God allows things like this to happen.

I wish I knew. Things like this have puzzled saints, wise men, and philosophers since the world began.

There is simply no one easy answer as to why tragedies like this happen. The answer may lie in the fact that God made us free. He created us with the ability to make our own choices, and choices always involve consequences. If we are careless or foolish in our choices, or if others are, we may suffer because of them. If God did not allow us freedom, we’d be less than people. We’d be robots.

This may be the only explanation we will ever have for some suffering. However, we do not have to know why things happen in order to be victorious over them. On the cross Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) But the heavens were as brass. God was silent. He didn’t even answer his own Son. Jesus might have despaired and become bitter against God. But instead he said, “Father, into thy hands I commend [entrust, hand over] my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

This kind of faith is far more important than any answer we might receive. In our lives, as in the life of Jesus, it is faith that makes the difference between victory and defeat.

So keep believing in God no matter what. Commit your life to him and regardless of what happens, God will help you.

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