A Faith-filled Family Christmas

Preparations for the Christmas season begin right after Thanksgiving. Christmas decorations in all shapes, sizes, and colors adorn store shelves just in time for the after-Thanksgiving Day sales rush. Moms and Dads line up for miles outside toy stores, rain or shine, to be the first to buy the hottest new item. By Christmas morning grown ups don't even want to get out of bed to celebrate the day. This year instead of preparing our wallets and pocketbooks, let's prepare our hearts to usher in the Christmas season with our families in a faith-affirming way.

Family Worship

The Advent season (which means coming or arrival) starts on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and continues to four Sundays. The coming of the child Jesus into the world is celebrated during Advent and values the importance of this event in the lives of every Christian.

The Advent wreath, the main piece for this celebration, is composed of evergreen sprigs arranged in a ring with five candle holders and five candles. Three of the candles have the colors purple or blue, one candle is colored in the traditionally pink or rose-color, and the last candle is colored white. The four candles are placed around the wreath with the white candle, which signifies Christ, in the middle of the other four.

Time for worship and prayer can be done each Sunday before going to church or during the evening before going to sleep. Every week, each member of the family can take turns lighting the candles and reading a prayer and devotional. After that, parents can set aside some time to answer questions that the younger children may want to ask about the celebration.

Family Fun

Holidays are a time for people to get out and celebrate with family and friends. As a family, host a "Christmas for Christ" party. Involve the whole family in the planning. The central theme, of course, is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Have the children create their own special invitations. Invite Christian and non-Christian friends alike. Do the shopping for game prizes at this time too. If a lot of activities are planned, start early enough to fit everything into the evening.

To lessen the costs, have the people you've invited bring a dish to serve buffet-style. Since different ornaments will already be hung for Christmas, no added display is needed. Also a costume party is fun. Have your guests dress as a character from the nativity scene. There will be prizes for the best costume. The games that are chosen should fit the Christmas spirit theme. Have trivia games, charades, and puzzles at parties; everybody loves them. Kids will be the ones to take charge of the games while parents take care of the food.

Don't forget to end the night as well as you started. No Christmas gathering is complete without dessert, singing of carols, and the telling of the Christmas story. Sharing your faith with your family should be special and fun. You will create Christmas traditions that will be enjoyed for years to come.

By: Kerry Beck

Kerry Beck wants to offer you a special Advent activities to use in your Christmas & Advent celebration this season. Her book will also include daily Advent calendar.

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