Is there anything better than a perfect celebration? Whether it’s a wedding, surprise birthday party, or just a quiet dinner on the porch to honor someone you love, these moments have a way of filling hearts with warmth, joy and gratefulness. If I had to boil it down, I think that’s a major reason I love the Christmas season so very much – it’s an entire month of celebrating! Yet, when it comes to celebrating the birth of Jesus, it’s hard to know where to start or how to truly honor Someone so important.
As a self-proclaimed Christmas lover, I thought it would be fun (and hopefully helpful) to share a few fun things we try to incorporate into our season to celebrate the King of Kings.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS PARTY
This is a long-time favorite at our house! The details have changed and adapted to ages and stages of children, but the overall theme remains the same: a Birthday Party for Jesus. Food can be as elaborate as an actual birthday cake, cupcakes or cookies, or as simple as store bought treats and hot cocoa. (Children plus treats – it’s already a win!) Send actual invitations, text or emails, inviting guests to bring a birthday gift for Jesus’ birthday party. As explained in Matthew 25:40, Jesus told his disciples that whatever we do for someone in need we are actually doing for Him. At our party, we ask guests to bring gloves, warm socks, or hats to be donated to our church homeless ministry. The children eat, play a game or two, and I usually read a Christmas book to them. As our children have gotten older, each child also brings a small toy and they play “Dirty Santa” together. Other suggestions for gifts to “give Jesus” are: toys for children in need, canned or shelf stable food for a local food pantry, blankets for a homeless ministry, or supplies for a local school.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Another family favorite tradition is caroling! We love caroling to friends or neighbors, and also enjoy surprising those whose Christmas season might not be the merriest. If someone has suffered a difficult year, or if they’re a resident at a nursing home or hospital patient, we look forward to bringing Christmas cheer. Each and every time we reach out, we find that our hearts are filled with joy (and my eyes are filled with tears) as we step into someone else’s situation. No matter your singing skills just bundle up, get in the car, and go surprise someone with a little “Joy To The World.”
HOST A DINNER AT HOME
There’s something really special about sharing a meal around the table in your own home. Each year, we plan at least one evening to invite someone over for dinner. The guests vary from year to year, but might include foreign exchange students, neighbors, friends from out of town, our small group, or family members. The meal is anything from pots of soup or chili, to crock-pot meals, pizza or even take-out Chinese, but the joyful feeling around the table remains the same. Some years we read from Luke Chapter 2 or the account of Christ's birth from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Other years, we take turns sharing a favorite Christmas memory, impactful moment from the year, or something the Lord is teaching us. No matter the menu or conversation, we feel a warm sense of connectedness as we share special moments and happy bellies around our table.
As you can see, celebrations for the King can take many shapes and forms. The important aspect is making an effort to turn our hearts toward who Christmas is all about. In the hustle and bustle, festive lights, yummy food, wrapped packages and stuffed stockings, may we pause and praise the One who came to us wrapped in swaddling clothes, to save us from our sin.
What about you? What creative ways have you found to celebrate the true Star of the Christmas season?
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!