What kind of holiday do you want to have?

Isn’t it crazy that overnight the stores shelves went from Halloween costumes to Christmas lights?

The Word says we live “from strength to strength” but the World says we live “from shopping season to shopping season.” Guaranteed the minute the Christmas lights come down the Valentine chocolates and teddy bears will line the shelves. Not that I blame them. Truly, if we didn’t have the joy and wonder of Christ to celebrate of course we’d have to buy stuff to celebrate!

But we have something so much greater to celebrate, don’t we? And don’t we also have to be intentional every single year, to actually honor Christ at His birth instead of being swept along in the sea of consumerism, forgetting Him altogether? I know I do. And doing so doesn’t mean we can’t have a Christmas tree or bake cookies or give meaningful gifts, but it means deciding–ahead of time–exactly what kind of holiday you want to have.

How can we do this?

First, decide Why your family is celebrating Christmas. I recently read a book by an author who very openly opposed to Christianity. Her words,

“Some of the major holidays are not ours, including any that commands its faithful to buy stuff nobody needs.”

Ouch.

But this is why I like reading non-believing authors. They give an honest critique, and we are guilty as charged.

It is sad that “our” holiday can be described in that way. That when the world looks at us, during the holiday season, they see nothing that distinguishes us from the rest of the world?

So, as we head into the holiday season, take some time to consider: What kind of holiday do you want to have?  Try to remember what material items you received last year. Where are they now? What toys did your kids “HAVE” to have that they’ve forgotten about now? What were the highlights of years past, and how can you capitalize on blessing others, worshiping Christ, and making family memories?

Go ahead, today (before you see the Black Friday ads!) and set your course for the holiday season. Spend time in His Word and prayer and ask Him what sort of holiday you want to have. How can you be intentional with how you spend your time, energy, money?

For today, will you please watch this brand new Forgotten Christmas video, and share it with others. Consider also reading No Longer a Slumdog over Thanksgiving (click here for a free copy!). {Thanks for watching, considering, and reading.}