It is Christmas Time! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I enjoy this time of year! The excitement on the children faces, parties and get-togethers are happening, buying presents, decorating their homes, food, friends, family, celebration, gifts, decorations, can be fun and meaningful, but Christ is the very reason we have Christmas, so I want to stay focused on Him.

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is easy to forget the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Take the time to understand why we celebrate this special day. This year our family will focus on “The Reason for the Season.” Celebrate Jesus!

If you are like me and sometimes you must refocus and reconnect, here are a way you can put the focus back on celebrating Jesus’ birthday.

Jesus went ahead, paving a way for us, and preparing a place for us in the heavenly dwellings. If we obey and follow Him, we will also come to where He is! Is this your hope and your longing? Let us live lives worthy of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us, so we can be together with Him for all eternity!

Remind yourself, your family, and friends about the real meaning of Christmas. The real reason for the season. It will help you enjoy the holiday on a deeper, more meaningful level.

How Do You Celebrate Christ at Christmas?

What Does Keeping Christ in Christmas mean: It is daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Allow Jesus to shine through you not only at Christmas time, but for the rest of your life. Are you thinking what I am thinking?

Singing Christmas Carols –

Praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

This Christmas, be His star! Ask God to use you to draw the attention of others to the Baby in the manger. There is no better time to share your faith in Jesus Christ, to be a star for Him than today. Share the story of His birth everywhere you go. Use it as a winning tool.

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. — 1 John 4:9

The good news is that Christmas can be a wonderful day filled with great joy.

The words spoken on that clear night by the angel to the shepherds staying in the field guarding their flocks ring louder today than ever, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior… has been born today.”

May you keep focused on the reason for the season as you enter the upcoming holiday season.

“The most important thing you can do, however, is to put Christ at the center of your Christmas-and your life.

‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind’ (John 1:4).”

Reading the Christmas Story

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:17-20 emphasis added).

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 13:52

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”  Luke 1:28 WEB

9 Practical Ways to Celebrate Christ at Christmas

1. Praying

The best way to say “Happy Birthday Jesus” is by taking a moment to talk to Him. Just like you might talk to a close family member, so we have the privilege of talking to God. God has made himself known to many who have reached out to him with an open heart.. 

The prayers should be from the heart, wishing Him a happy birthday and thanking Him for both your blessings and trials.

Jesus paid the price of our sins, and because of His sacrifice, we are welcomed into Heaven with open arms. We received the most amazing gift, and it was not even our birthday! Who could deserve a birthday celebration more than Jesus?

2. Spending Time with Jesus

Spending time with Jesus should be our number one priority. It can easily be put on the bottom of our “Things to Do” list as we get caught up in the busy Christmas season.

The important thing to remember is that spending time with Jesus is foundational for every facet of our lives. Find time to devote to Jesus. The best place for you to spend time with Him is when you are praying the Word, or you need to a peaceful place rest.

Find the way that works best in your life, even if it is only a few minutes a day in the morning or before you go to bed. My best days start when I am focused on Jesus before I get out of bed.

3. Inviting Others to Learn More About Him

Our personal life-changing experience of Jesus is never simply for our own benefit. It’s meant to be shared with others. This means that our desire to invite people to experience and share our life-changing power of Jesus must begin within our sphere of family and friends. 

By encouraging others to learn more about Jesus, we can sometimes reawaken our excitement and amazement for all He has done for us. When you help others know and celebrate Jesus, you not only grow spiritually along with those you invite, but you also get a front-row seat in the transformation of someone’s life.

4. Do Something Special

Go beyond what you would usually do to make something extra special. “Set aside time to go to a Christmas program or play at your church for example. Make sure you also attend your church’s regular services during the Christmas season; this will help you focus on Christ,”

5. Giving

The Christmas season is the perfect time to concentrate on gratitude and giving. Deciding to focus on doing great acts of kindness through donating during this hectic season is a wonderful tradition for yourself and your family. You can even get the kids involved. Ask them where they would like to give, help them save for a donation, let them drop coins in the red buckets, have them pick out angels, or fill shoeboxes. Giving provides a way to demonstrate love for others while providing for those less fortunate.

6. Serving

Serving others is a key to a deeper understanding of Jesus and His love for all people. We were created to need and serve each other with our gifts, talents, and resources. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 reminds us that we are all useful, but we are also different.

The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we do not, the parts we see and the parts we do not. If one-part hurts, every other part participates in the hurt, and in the healing. If one-part flourishes, every other part enters the exuberance (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 MSG).

7. Studying the Bible

 Studying the word of God offers us a fantastic means of seeking and experiencing a deeper relationship with God in a creative way. As you pray, dive deep into the Word, observe, and design, you will be spending time with the One you love and who loves you too.

8. Be Grateful

Always be grateful. Consider keeping a journal of all your treasured Christmas memories. You can review them year after year and thank Him for each special moment. What is your favorite way to say, “Happy Birthday Jesus”?

Whatever you do, I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas season sharing the love of Christ with your family and friends.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

9. Pray with Others

Prayer is powerful. God wants each of us to be just like Jesus in our own unique way. So, the Father wants us to learn to intercede – to pray on behalf of others – like Jesus did. 

Deepen your prayer life by sharing your prayer time praying for others. And to know that others are praying for you, and to share their burdens and pray for them, is a wonderful gift.

What Does the Bible Say About Celebrating Jesus Birthday?

Christmas time is a few days away. Christmas is always a special time for most everyone but especially followers of Jesus. Christmas is celebrated across this world in separate ways. Families’ traditions passed down from generation to generation. The first coming of Jesus Christ was the most significant historical event that has ever occurred. The “arrival” of the promised Messiah has changed the world forever. The following verses will take us on a journey through the prophecies of Jesus Christ

Old Testament Verses About Jesus

Psalms 72:11 May all kings fall before him, all nations serve him!

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 53:3-7 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey

.Born of a Virgin

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Born of the Family of Jesse

Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Born of the House of David

Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Related: Celebrating Christmas with Jesus

New Testament Verses About the Birth of Christ

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Luke 2:7  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Visit of the Shepherds

Luke 2:15-20 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, two saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”  Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Verses About the Birth of Jesus

John 1:9-14 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: …

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: …

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

The innkeeper had no room for Jesus. Do you have room in your busy life to let Jesus in. He came to this earth to be crucified so that you and I may one day live with Him in heaven. Will you come to Jesus? If not, why not? Maybe today is the day that God is knocking on the door of your heart. Have you any room for Jesus?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  -Romans 15:13

Prayer

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep… make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
-Hebrews 13:20-21

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! May this be a season of peace, joy, and love like you’ve never known before as you celebrate God’s greatest Gift to us- His Son, Jesus.

FREE PRINTABLES

Celebrating Jesus at Christmas!

Bible Reading Challenge

I pray that this is a place where you can gain encouragement in your prayer life and in your relationship with God! Here you will find a free printable, “Celebrating Jesus at Christmas” Bible Reading Challenge” that you can download by clicking on the highlighted links.

You are welcome to use this printable for personal use or in small group Bible studies.

Have a wonderful day! Enjoy!

Click Here to Download!

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