Believe it or not, Christmas is just a little over a month away. Some of you have already put up your Christmas decorations, while others of us will be lucky if we get them up at all. Some of us have already bought and wrapped all of our gifts, while some of us will be scrambling to get them bought and wrapped by Christmas Eve. Whether you are a “Christmas over-achiever” or a Christmas slacker” let me encourage you to prepare for Christmas in one of the few ways that really matter.

Spend some time this year preparing and sharing with your family about the hope that Christmas provides. Use the month of December to focus on the coming of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Find a reading plan or resource that helps you walk your family through the narrative of the Christmas story recorded in Scripture. Have a focused time in your home where Jesus and the hope he provides is magnified. Praise God for the redemptive plan he brought to fruition by sending his son into the world, that the world through him might be saved. Put the focus of Christmas where it needs to be.

Now if your life is anything like mine, this won’t happen without a focused effort. If you don’t start preparing now, Christmas will sneak up on you in a hurry. So start making your plans today on how you are going to lead your family in celebrating Christmas this year. Don’t let it go by without a consistent focus on Christ. After all, he is what Christmas is all about.

For His glory and your joy,

Pastor Charlie