Celebrating the True Meaning of Christmas

I don’t know about you,  but I struggle each year to be sure Jesus doesn’t get lost in all the tinsel. It’s so easy to get caught up in the decorating and hoopla of the season. And I love the decorating…and the hoopla!  But our culture and world is so materialistic and secular that it’s easy to ‘run out of time’ so to speak,  and Christmas is over and not once was Jesus front and center.

Several years ago, I decided to do something about that. I wanted to make sure our little children know that Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas.  One simple way is to incorporate nativity scenes in the decorations.  They remind us what we’re celebrating, every single day.

So, in our living room, I have a huge Christmas tree,  a mantle of reindeer with silver trees and a garland of red balls and lots of snowflakes….and also….two nativity scenes.

One that is off limits to the children…and one the children can play with and tell each other the story of Jesus’ birth.  Standing in the living room they can turn one direction and see the nativity scene on the dining room table and the other direction, they can see the one in the foyer.  In one room….4 nativity scenes can be seen…..I love that!

My favorite place is the Kitchen window…and why not? I spend a great deal of time in front of this sink. Everyone who comes into my house eventually makes it to the kitchen.  Even though the only thing red are dish towels …this window reminds everyone it’s Christmas!

For the past two years,  I used one of my favorite nativity scenes as the dining room table center piece.  A star hangs from the chandelier and a Joy to the World ornament hangs beneath. I save old Christmas cards that tell the story of Jesus. They’re displayed on each side. When we gather for Christmas Brunch at this table, there’s no doubt what the day is all about.

Christmas cards from previous years help to further ‘tell the story of Jesus.’ They also remind me of friends and they’re beautiful!!!

Bethlehem is one of my favorite Christmas ‘decorations.’

This is the nativity Creche my husband made a couple weeks ago. He did an awesome job….

And the front yard announces to every passer by….we’re celebrating the true meaning of Christmas at our house.

I hope you are finding ways to celebrate and remember the true meaning of Christmas with your family…

And I wish you….. A Merry Christmas!