Planning and Preparing for a Christ-Centered Christmas by Liza Cheek

Do you really want a Christ-Centered Christmas?  

First step is to actually have this as your goal!  If it’s not going to be Christ-centered, then what is it?

·      Stressful?

·      Centered on gifts to get or gifts to buy?

·      Is it a contest to see who can out-do their neighbor in hanging up the most lights?

·      Is it a head-ache of family contention and battles on whose house we go to this year?

·      Is it a long list of things you think must get done, like the perfect Christmas family photo (with everyone dressed in their new, matching outfits you bought just for the occasion), going to all the ward/work/school parties (while also avoiding all the sugar that you know is going to stick like glue to your thighs!), decorating the house, sending Christmas cards to everyone you’ve ever said hello to, planning a perfect Christmas dinner for the family that’s coming to your house this year, cleaning the house top to bottom for the visiting family, figuring out where everyone is going to sleep, making sure everyone is happy and getting along and feeling that glow of joy that is the Christmas season.

*So I think we can assume that no one enjoys all the stress that can creep into our Christmas plans.  That’s why I asked, “Is it really your goal?”  If it is, then are there things you have control over that detract from this goal?  I would suggest making a list of offenders.  If you can just eliminate them, great!  If not, can you alter them so they create less stress and invite the Spirit more? 

What is a Christ-Centered Christmas?  Make a list, find pictures, what are the qualities, feelings, what does it look like?

*Now that you have the goal to have a Christ-centered Christmas, your first task is to prepare YOURSELF.  You can’t spread Christmas cheer if you are a mess of stress and anxiety!

How do we become Christ-centered so we can experience a Christ-centered Christmas (or life!)?

·     Focus your prayers on thanksgiving (funny how that holiday precedes Christmas!) and seek guidance on how you can be an instrument in the Lords hands this season.

·      Attend the temple.  Better yet, bring a friend with you!

·      Focus your daily scripture study on Savior

·      Limit your additional holiday activities to those that are most meaningful.

·      Play Christmas music (fill your mind with Christ-centered material!)

·      Watch the Christmas Devotional, read the December Ensign or a video about the Savior

·      Do what you can to fill yourself with the love of Christ

Now that you are filled with the Spirit of Christmas, how can you spread that feeling to those around you?

v At home and beyond: 

 ;plan FHE around the Savior

 Ø Visuals:  pictures of the Savior on the mantle?  Nativity?

 Ø Incorporate service into your fun family activities.  Ideas?

 Ø Invite friends to join you in your FHE/family fun/caroling, esp. those who are alone at Christmas!  Be inclusive!

 Ø Basket with missionary items to give away, challenge the family to invite someone to a church activity (people are lonely!  Church is a great way to feel loved!)

 Ø Reduce the stress of planning by creating Christ-centered traditions that you repeat every year and can look forward to

 Ø If you are crafty, Pinterest has tons of ideas, so don’t reinvent the wheel!  Steal someone else’s ideas!  There are many things you can do to be creative with your family and give thoughtful gifts that don’t have to break the bank.

 Ø Encourage all family members to take part in the making/buying/giving of gifts, even small children!  (Mom is NOT Santa Claus!!!)