Tuesday's Tip!

With Christmas fast approaching I thought I'd give a tip to lessen the stress...


Focus on God's Gift and not your gift's.
It's so easy to get caught up in the gift's at Christmas time.  As a Christian I have to constantly remind myself and keep in check why it is that we celebrate Christmas in the first place.  The world is a fast-paced place to live in and I tend to want to stay in step with it at times...and this time of year is one of those times that if I don't make a conscience effort to slow down or just stop, I can miss it all!  


1.  Read the Christmas Story.
I encourage you to slow down, sit down, pick up your Bible if you have one (Matthew 1:18-2:23) and if you don't have one you can get on the computer and read about the very first Christmas.  
We celebrate Christmas because of what God did for us...in coming to earth in flesh, in the form of a baby...perfectly human and perfectly God.  He (Jesus) paved a way for us in His death and resurrection so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have eternal life with Him if we believe in Him.  This is the gift that God gave to us.  


2.  Pass the torch.  
Make sure to sit down with your children (or if you don't have children find someone else that you can share with) and read straight from the Bible the Christmas story.  Remind them of why we celebrate, why we give gifts, and why we should receive gifts with a grateful heart.  Talk about what you read.  Share your faith with them.
There are parts to the story that you might not have known. Did you know that the three wise men risked their lives after meeting baby Jesus? Did you know about the conspiracy to kill Jesus as a baby? How about the public shame Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have experienced when she found out she was pregnant out of wedlock? The intrigue, suspense, and miracles will surprise you if you take the time to delve into the story of stories.


3.  Attend a Christmas Eve Service.  I really enjoy attending the Christmas Eve service that my church holds every year.  It's a quiet and peaceful time where we take communion together and just focus on the Lord...the true Reason for the Season!


I hope you find these few tips helpful...


Merry CHRISTmas to all my friends!


~Heather