Are You Ready for Some ... Christmas?

In this Christmas UPGRADE, I want to help us focus on two frustrations about the Christmas season. 

In spite of the photo below, this article isn't about football, which should make my husband smile. (I actually like it that my husband can relax and watch his favorite teams. Although "relax" might not be the best word when the game isn't going as he'd like.)

So why the photo? While contemplating how to both streamline Christmas and make it more meaningful, I suddenly heard this football tag line in my head: "Are you ready for some football?"

I laughed!

A little history. The opening theme song for Monday Night Football was made famous in the early 1990s, originally performed by country rocker Hank Williams Jr.

A reworked verson of his song, "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" was titled "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night." The song's catchy words and tune stuck in football fans' minds for more than two decades until ESPN booted Williams and his emmy-winning song in 2011 after he made a controversial comment.

Still, the catchy line, "Are you ready for some football?," secured its place in history. Over the years, I've caught myself adapting it.

• Are you ready for some . . . turkey?
  
• Are you ready for some . . . shopping?
  
• Are you ready for some . . . Hallmark Christmas movies? (My husband's expression indicated a firm "no" to that one.)

We each have only so much time in our days, and we want to spend it well. So as December neared and I perused our calendar, I found myself asking, "Am I even READY for Christmas this year?" (Is anyone? Ever?)

I want to share two questions that are helping me get "ready" for Christmas. Maybe they will help you too.

1. How Can I Streamline Christmas?

As I've been simplifying and streamlining my home by removing many of the things I've "stored" there unnecessarily over the years, I've asked three questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Would I buy it again?

I decided to do the same thing with Christmas.

The questions I'm asking to streamline Christmas this year are:

• Does this Christmas-related activity bring me or my family true JOY? (Or am I only imagining or hoping that they even like it?)
• Is this Christmas-related activity worth my or my family's time NOW? (Was this activity useful in a past season of life, but now it's just a hassle that no one really appreciates or even wants?)
• What does this Christmas-related activity ACCOMPLISH for me or my family? (Does it support our family goals or the legacy we want to create?)

Please understand that I am not doing this perfectly. Also, know that some of this is necessary in my life with the limited energy I have. But I do think those questions might be beneficial for all of us.

Streamlining Christmas is helpful, even as we pack in what is important—and that's where the second question comes in.

2. How Can I Focus on the True Meaning of Christmas?

I noted earlier that Christmas has typically become a secular holiday for many families. As a Christian, I think that's just terribly sad.

After leaving church on Sunday morning in late November, we saw house after house with giant blow-up Santas and snowman.

One small lawn was packed from front door to sidewalk and up to the neighbor's fences with "Christmas stuff." No theme, just a hodgepodge of glass, plastic, and metal. I couldn't help wondering if it was all simply accumulated over a lifetime of Christmases by people who had no Christmas "filter." (Perhaps that sounds judgmental. I don't know the homeowner's story. But to me, the cluttery look was far from celebratory . . . more junkyard than heartwarming.)

Nearing my home, I even saw a monstrously-tall Halloween skeleton left up after Oct. 31—and now sporting an ugly Christmas sweater! (I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!)

Secular decorations can be "cute" and—although this is controversial in some circles—I believe certain secular decor can have a place in holiday celebrations. Yet, as we turned the last corner toward home that Sunday, my eyes rested on a simple nativity scene.

I sighed with a Christmas-y smile of peace, contentment, and joy.

"THAT is what Christmas is all about," I thought. 

Then and there, I decided to spend at least 15 minutes each day leading up to Christmas to focus on the true meaning of what we celebrate—and this is beyond church services and special Christmas services. I didn't want the hustle and bustle to overshadow what is best.

How I spent the time might vary, but taking the time would need to be consistent for the greatest impact.

Brainstorming, I thought I might spend those 15 minutes:

• meditating in a Christmas devotional book—some suggestions are here and here and here and here and here;
• looking through a book with famous paintings about Christmas;
• reading a biblically-accurate Christmas book to a small child—here is one idea);
• creating a Christmas craft that focuses on Jesus—and this can be done with children, such as with this or this;
• praying about the people on your Christmas card list, or for family members who need Jesus;
• serving someone with a special need at Christmas;
• listing what positive changes knowing the Savior has brought into your life;
• singing or listening to Christmas hymns or songs that praise God—many are here, and here's a  history of some Christmas hymns, or you may have your own Christmas playlist; and
• planning how you might give special gifts to those not on your typical Christmas list—such as World Help and Samaritan's Purse—but also consider worthy local Christian charities in your city).
• You may have other ideas. Get creative!

Knowing how distracted I get, I made a simple check-off sheet to keep by my Bible and devotional bood to be sure I spend time focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. (Other people might choose to set a phone alarm to remember.)

A FINAL NOTE

By far, the most important reason we should streamline Christmas and focus on what matters during the season is to glorify God—to "give weight to" who He is, to adore and honor Him. We were created for His glory, and scripture instructs us to do everything for His glory (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

We really shouldn't need a reminder, but honoring God should always be at the center our Christmas-season activities.

What will you do to streamline your Christmas and focus on its true meaning this year?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Wallace Chuck at Pexels.

The Gimmes, The Grinch, and The Greatest Gift

Sally Ferguson is a caring encourager. She wants women to grow in the Word and in their responses to Father God. In this Christmas UPGRADE, Sally notes some of the wrong attitudes during the holiday season about "getting," and encourages ways to give instead.

"In a culture of shopping malls and letters to Santa, it’s a struggle to unwrap the real meaning of Christmas," Sally says. "Even Cindy Lou Who told the Grinch things had gotten out of hand in Whoville. 'Everybody seems too kerbabbled. Isn't this just a little superfluous?'"

I (Dawn) had to laugh when I read that. Sometimes I think our culture is more Whoville-ish than we admit. But Sally takes us beyond that tale to a story that is grand and a blessing!

Sally continues . . .

What are the gimmes?

That’s when we’re compelled to have it all—“Give me this, get me that. I need more!”

I see ads geared toward the younger audience and think, "It’s no wonder we’re in a hurry to buy the latest, greatest doohickey and whatchamacallit. We’re in a race to get the best so we can be the favorite grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, (insert your status here)."

If it’s a competition, is there any joy in the giving?

How do we help children navigate the gimmes at Christmas, if the adults are competing with each other for their affections?

In search of answers, I called my friend Sandy Meerdink to get her input. Sandy and Jon have three daughters, ages seven, eight, and ten.

When I asked if they deal with the gimmes, she chuckled and said,

“We always have. When they get one thing, it leads to wanting another.

"It’s a lifelong process of teaching my girls they don’t all need to have the same thing. If one has a toy, they can share and multiply their supply.”

Sandy continued,

“I try to talk to them about others who don’t have what they have. The girls notice kids around them at school, and we talk about how they would feel if they didn’t have the things they do.

"I tell them stories about children I saw on a mission trip to Nicaragua. There were children who were glad to have boots that didn’t even fit, and kids who lived in a cardboard box, yet were happy.

"When my girls want something, I ask, ‘Is it a need or a want?’”

“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” — The Grinch

What does Sandy do to promote giving instead of getting?

1. When shopping, encourage each child to watch what others admire.

These make great gift ideas and nurture observation skills.

2. When they see a need, conduct secret projects to surprise that person—such as what happened when a new girl came to class and needed cheering up because her mom was sick with cancer.

3. When making a Christmas wish list for Grandma, think of an activity to enjoy together—turning the gift into an experience and a memory to cherish.

4. When celebrating with extended family, let children help pick a family gift that will focus on fun—like a pass to a nearby zoo or new sleds to go sledding too.

A few years back, Sandy was dismayed by the gimmes popping up in her home and cried out to the Lord for a way to reach her gals. The result was a Christmas angel, Gloria, represented by a doll.

• Gloria’s purpose is to bring glory to God and to teach the joy in giving.
• Gloria shows how to look out for others and do special things for them, and then find joy in watching that person’s reaction.
• Through daily activities during the Christmas season, a Bible verse, encouraging notes, a challenge and an occasional gift, Gloria prepares hearts for Advent.

How can you advocate giving instead of getting?

• Handmade gifts are ones that will be cherished. Find ideas from Lana Wynn Scroggins here.
• Shop together for Shoebox gifts. Sandy asks her girls to pick out gifts for a specific age so that they will picture that child in their minds.
• Deliver cookies together. My family sings Christmas carols as we deliver to neighbors on Christmas Eve. It makes people smile (because of the tunes or because of the festivity, I’ll never tell)!

“You can’t hurt Christmas, Mr. Mayor because it isn’t about the gifts or the contests or the fancy lights.” — Lou Lou Who

What is the real meaning of giving at Christmas?

Consider the impact of gifts.

When the Israelites triumphed over Haman’s plan of extinction of their people, they celebrated with presents to each other. Their joy was represented in the gift (Esther 9:18-22).

When the Magi found the Babe in the manger, their joy overflowed in the sharing of their treasures. (Matthew 2:10-11)

Maybe our best gifts are the awe we bring when we worship the King? (Psalm 72:10-11)

Let's join Cindy Lou Who in search of real meaning this Christmas. As we return to our Bibles, we will unwrap the most remarkable present of all—the presence of Jesus!

How will you help children navigate the gimmes at Christmas, and instead, point to the greatest Gift?

Sally Ferguson loves to dive into God’s Word and splash his refreshing water onto others. She speaks and writes with a look at snapshots of life in the sunshine and in the storms. Sally plans women’s retreats and she’s working on a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, New York, with her husband and her dad. Sally’s coloring book, What Will I Be When I Grow Up? is available here, or contact Sally on her website for a copy.

Graphic of Christmas Gifts adapted, courtesy of Pexels at Pixabay."