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.