“A thrill of hope this weary world rejoices”… this powerful lyric in “O Holy Night” still resonates deep with me.  I look around and see a weary world still longing for hope.  And in this time of year more than ever I feel the need to be a bringer of this hope. A time where, for kids, this season seems to be all about what they are getting off their Christmas list and for adults, it often dwindles down to what you are buying and cooking. But really, what is the reason for the season?  If we aren’t intentional December flies by and we miss out on the true purpose and meaning of Christmas.  The celebration of the coming of Jesus shouldn’t be wrapped in chaos, but rather HOPE.
 
Hope. The light that shines in the darkness.  The voice that speaks in the loneliness.  The comfort in the pain.  The salvation from sin.  Rescue for all.  This is hope.
 
Sometimes as a busy wife & mom it is too easy to get wrapped up in decorating my cute little house, buying my kids nice gifts, making the cookies, throwing the fun party, etc. and I FORGET that all of this is because of Jesus.  I lose sight of the purpose.  For years I have found it quite interesting how much the word or command “remember” is used throughout the Bible.  Know why?  Throughout Scripture we as people are reminded to remember because we forget important things ALL the time.
 
Last week we talked about desiring to give our loved ones the gift of presence.  Today, I want to encourage you to consider also giving them the gift of purpose.  How can we make this Christmas more about Jesus?  I want to share a few ideas with you and would absolutely love to hear some things you all do in your home and with your loved ones.
 
First thing I do to bring more purpose of the season is read through the Christmas story in the Bible or choose a Christmas or Advent devotional as a part of my quiet time with Jesus.  I am currently reading “The Greatest Gift” by Ann Voskamp.  I find that if I can get my mind focused on it then I am more likely to share it with others and create more meaningful moments and conversations.  I also am going through Ann Voskamp’s kids’ devotional with my family “The Wonder of the Greatest Gift”.
 
Another thing we do in the month of December to bring more purpose and share hope is by choosing, as a family, who it is that we want to bless.  This year, we are buying gifts for local elementary students in need and as a family are serving at a ministry called “Feed My Starving Children”.  Another request by one of my children is that we make backpacks of Hope for the local homeless people and we are delivering them the week of Christmas.  I am so excited to partner with my husband and children to take our eyes off of ourselves and bring hope to others in the name of Jesus! 
 
Lastly, I will share our favorite traditions for Christmas in our home.  Taking time Christmas Eve to write down a gift that we each want to give Jesus this year and putting them in a little box under our tree.  Our gifts may include things like our attitude, devotion, etc.  I also get super cheesy and will put up a few birthday decorations and we bake a birthday cake for Jesus. We simply stop to celebrate Him and remember what this day is really about.  So, that's what we do!!

I am always looking for some new ways to celebrate the reason for the season and bring more purpose and meaning to Christmas.  Please take a minute to comment and share about what you and your family do!! We would all love to hear your ideas on making Christmas special for your families in remembering what it's truly about!!