Keeping Your Focus During Christmas by Becky Dietz

I remember one year, at a former church, when we literally had more than a dozen Christmas parties to go to.  We were expected to be at each one and it was exhausting.  What was even harder was keeping my focus on the reason for the season--Jesus.  Because those parties honestly had nothing to do with Jesus.

I really love Christmas.  I love thinking about Mary and Joseph being in that barn, having baby Jesus and wrapping him in swaddling clothes.  I love thinking about the shepherds in the field and the magnificent sight of the angels in the heavens above.  I love being around my family and watching the children's excitement as they open gifts.  I can hardly sleep Christmas Eve in anticipation of that very thing.

But how do I keep my focus on Jesus?  I remember it's HIS birthday.  That's not hard since my birthday is December 16.  As much as I enjoy being around friends and family on my birthday and being celebrated, I try to do the same for Jesus.  I spend time with him, acknowledging it's his birthday, blessing him.  In the past, we've made birthday cakes for Jesus.  I've given him gifts.  It may be giving to something or someone I know he cares about.  This year, my gift is just spending quality time with him each morning leading up to his birthday.

I'm also celebrating by loving and using the gifts he's given me.  There's someone on my gift-giving list who always acts disappointed with what I give her.  It's disheartening.  But I used to do the same thing.  I would be given a lovely gift, but because of "unworthiness issues" in my own life, I'd give it to someone I thought would love it.  I hate that I did that.  But don't we do that with Jesus?  He's given us so many beautiful gifts which we never even acknowledge or use.  I'm choosing to delight in the gifts he's given me and use them knowing he'll be pleased.

I can tell you I petitioned hard in our former church not to have so many parties the next year.  I'm all for festivities...but I love keeping it simple.  I want to focus on Jesus and celebrate him.

How do you keep your focus during Christmas?