Jesus is the reason for the season. We've all heard it. We sincerely believe it, and we desperately long to preserve it. But how amid real-life do we keep Christ the center of Christmas? The struggle is real. Today, I'm sharing ideas our family has enjoyed and one bold Christmas ambition I've not yet been brave enough to fulfill.

Santa Is the Delivery Man for Jesus

This tip is for those of you with younger kids. My fondest childhood Christmas memories included anticipation and delight of Santa. I wanted that for my kids and desired Santa to be part of their Christmas without stealing the spotlight. Tricky. Beginning in their earliest Christmas’, we explained to our kids that the gifts were not from Santa. They were from Jesus because all good things come to us in and from Him. We always referred to Santa as the delivery man. Santa simply delivered all the fun blessings Jesus had stored up for us on Christmas day. Admittedly, this was a subtle reminder, but every year after the pandemonium of gift opening, the kids would always offer Jesus a gratuitous word of thanks. The message got through.

Make a Birthday cake

Another tradition we started when the kids were young was preparing a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day then singing to Him at dessert. It was sweet, and the kids enjoyed offering it to their Savior.

Go to Church

Obvious, but it's important to mention. For me, nothing prepares my heart for the spirit of Christmas like the Christmas Eve service. I find it to be such a gift to sit before the Lord and revel in the miracle of His birth. The stillness. The worship. The presence of mind. I feel it even now.

Ditch the Kitschy Christmas Music

Before you report me to the Scrooge association, hear me out. I gave birth to a little girl who’s playing Christmas music the day after Halloween. I'm not dissing the Deer. The fact is, though, Christ has been lost in many contemporary carols. We hear what someone wants for Christmas, while others profess wiser decisions about whom they offer their heart, all while it's still very cold outside. One of the things I love most about the season is that masses join their voices in collective worship. Without a second thought. For but a single moment, praise echoes from grocery store speakers. Others, without even understanding its significance, profess the core of faith while sitting in traffic or stuffing their carts. Keep your Christmas music about Christ. It's one of the most magical ways to keep the thrill of hope alive in your home!

'Tis Better to Give Than to Receive

I told you there was one ambitious desire I tuck away in my heart each year. I long to be bold enough to usher my family into the accurate picture of Christmas. I've always wanted to have a Christmas free of a single gift but Christ. I wish to give freely and receive nothing. I have the vision of sitting around the Christmas tree with my family, entirely content with not a single thing (we need not) and yet utterly and completely moved to celebrate the goodness of Christmas. Someday, I hope to understand that He is the greatest gift and add nothing to it. I hope. Would you be bold enough to do a gift-free, thing-free, material-free holiday?

Rejoice. Our hope has come. This year, I pray that you and your family will feel the peace of God and the joy of His presence as you consider the true reason for the season! Merry Christmas.