10 Joyful Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas - plus a bonus

A meaningful, memory-making list to center your holiday season on what matters most.

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A friend once asked me to write a column on how to keep more Christ in Christmas. I loved the idea then—and I love it even more now.

With each passing year, I’ve added new traditions that help our family focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Today I’m sharing 10 Christ-centered traditions we practice during the season. Whether you adopt one or try them all, I hope they’ll bring deeper meaning and joy to your celebrations.

Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear your favorite ways to make Christmas about Christ!

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1. 🕯 Observe Advent with a Heart-Prep Focus

One year, my church introduced me to the Advent wreath—four candles lit on the four Sundays before Christmas and one on Christmas Eve. I eventually found a ceramic version I love, though the traditional greenery is beautiful too.

Advent reminds us to prepare—not just our homes, but our hearts—to welcome the Christ child.

🔗 More on Advent from Rev. Mark D. Roberts

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2. 🎁 Hang a Stocking for Jesus

We hang a special stocking just for Jesus. All month, we drop spare change (and sometimes bills) into it. On the Sunday before Christmas, we quietly give that money as a gift to Him.

⚠️ Tip: Use a sturdy stocking and a strong hanger! Ours once fell—coin-heavy and proud—off the mantle with a bang!

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3. ❤️ Give Like the Wise Men

Just as the magi brought gifts to Jesus, we find someone in need and give generously. Options include:

• Picking a name off a Giving Tree
• Donating to a missionary
• Filling a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
• Gifting anonymously with another family

Even with a tight budget, giving something—together—teaches that Christmas is about love, not lists.

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4. ✨ Display a Nativity Scene (or Three)

My childhood nativity now sits in our home, and setting it up still fills me with awe. We also have:

• A kid-friendly wooden set
• A delicate glass version
• Miniature ones as ornaments

Some families hide the baby Jesus until Christmas morning, or let the wise men “travel” through the house. Choose what works for you—and let it anchor your home in the real story.

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5. 🐪 Visit a Live Nativity or Walk Through                Bethlehem 

Few things bring the story to life like a walk-through Bethlehem. Some are basic where you can walk up and see the characters, some include petting zoos or hot cocoa and donut holes, and some are full-blown villages! We’ve stood in line to sign the census and received free "coins" to spend, chatted with vendors whispering about the Messiah, dodged roaming Roman guards, and quietly entered the stable to find Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

Unforgettable.

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6. 🎄 Decorate with Meaningful Ornaments 

Among our candy canes and snowmen are nativity ornaments, angels (given to me by my mom mostly but some Hallmark as well) and handmade beaded crosses. These tiny decorations speak big truths from the branches of our tree.

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7. 📺 Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas

It never fails: Linus steps forward, recites Luke 2, and something in my heart melts. A cartoon that boldly proclaims the Gospel? Yes, please. Every year.

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8. 💌 Send Christ-Centered Christmas Cards

Whether you choose cards with Scripture, a peaceful scene, or just a thoughtful note about your faith—your cards can encourage and uplift those who receive them.

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9. 🕯 Attend a Candlelight Service (or Create One at Home)

Nothing beats a candlelit Christmas Eve service. But if your church doesn’t offer one, light a few candles at home and gather your family for a short devotion. It’s a beautiful, quiet moment to reflect.

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10. 🎂 Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus

Who doesn’t love birthday cake? Make one for Jesus, light a candle, and sing. Or, as we did one year, make cupcakes with a candle on every one of them. 

Kids adore this tradition, and it beautifully reminds them that Christmas is a birthday celebration. Happy birthday, Jesus!

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BONUS! Read Christmas Picture Books from Different Perspectives

After you read the story of Jesus’ birth in the Bible, try reading picture books featuring the nativity story. Enjoy the beautiful illustrations and stories written from the perspective of the innkeeper, a shepherd, an angel, or even a donkey. Authors have gotten creative over the years, and these stories help children (and adults!) experience the wonder of Christmas in fresh ways.

Newsflash! This is the perfect place to announce that my debut picture book, Meanwhile Back at the Manger, will be available this fall through my publisher, Ambassador International! This version of the birth of Jesus is written from the POV of the stable boy, whose stable is where the holy family spends the night—but Thomas has abandoned his post for a night of fishing. What’s happening back at the manger? Will Thomas ever know what he is missing?

What Are Your Christ-Centered Traditions?

These are just a few ways my family brings Christ into the center of Christmas. Maybe you do something totally different. I’d love to know about it!

🎄 Drop your favorite traditions in the comments and share the joy!

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#KeepChristInChristmas #FaithAndFamily #JesusIsTheReason #FamilyTraditions #MeaningfulChristmas #ChristmasTips #ChristmasinJuly #ChristmasPlanning

3 Steps to Get Ready for Your Best Christmas

 

Christmas is a magical time of year, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful if you wait until the last minute to get ready. That’s why I’ve always advised friends and colleagues to get an early start! By getting a head start, you can enjoy a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday season. Here are three practical things you can do early to ensure that you enjoy your best Christmas!

1. Plan Your Holiday Budget

You can reduce holiday stress by planning your budget in advance. Start by listing all potential expenses, including gifts, decorations, holiday meals, and travel. This will help you set a realistic budget and avoid overspending.

• Create a Gift List: Write down everyone you plan to give gifts to and set a spending limit for each person. This will help you keep track of your expenses and avoid last-minute splurges.
• Track Your Spending: Use budgeting apps or a simple spreadsheet to monitor your expenses as you go. This can help you stay within your budget and make adjustments as needed. I have a free Holiday Spending Worksheet to share if you leave your request in the comments!

2. Start Gift Shopping Now

Gift shopping can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of Christmas preparation, so getting an early start can make a huge difference. As an added bonus, you’ll escape the crowds shopping in December. If you shop online, shopping early ensures gifts arriving in plenty of time. No more IOU’s for Christmas!

• Make a List: Outline what you plan to buy for each person. Consider their interests and hobbies to find thoughtful gifts.
• Shop Sales and Discounts: Take advantage of early holiday sales and special promotions to find great deals. Many retailers offer discounts well before the holiday season, so keep watch for them!

Starting your gift shopping early not only helps you avoid the last-minute rush but also allows you to find more meaningful and budget-friendly presents.

3. Prepare Your Home for the Festivities

Getting your home ready for Christmas early can make the season more enjoyable and less stressful. This includes decorating, organizing, and planning your holiday gatherings.

• Decorate Early: Put up your Christmas decorations in early December (or the day after Thanksgiving) to fully enjoy them throughout the season. I had a friend who had multiple trees for her house; she started decorating the beginning of November to avoid decorating burnout in December!
• Organize Holiday Supplies: Gather and check your holiday supplies, such as wrapping paper, ribbons, and greeting cards. This will prevent last-minute trips to the store and ensure you're fully prepared. In the coming year, consider shopping clearance sales after the holidays to stock up on your supplies!
• Plan Your Menu: If you're hosting holiday meals or taking dishes to other events, start planning your menu and creating a shopping list. This gives you ample time to try new recipes or adjust your plans based on dietary needs.

Starting your Christmas preparations early can transform the holiday season from a stressful time into a joyful one. By planning your budget, shopping for gifts, and getting your home ready, you’ll set the stage for a relaxing and festive Christmas. So, take a deep breath, get organized, and enjoy your best Christmas!

Publishing News!

 

The blog readers are the last to know! I apologize for not posting this video sooner. I've had technical difficulties. But better late than never, right? Here's my big news!

Good News Is Coming!

I was about to make a premature announcement! Luckily a friend of mine stopped me from getting ahead of myself. So stay tuned! Pre-Christmas news coming later this week! Yay!
 

Meet Jasmine Jingletoes, an Elf for Hire!

Jasmine Jingletoes, at your service!

Meet Jasmine Jingletoes, a spunky, lovable elf who lives to spread Christmas cheer! On Thursday she sang in a Christmas recital. Before her performance, a little boy saw her. He pointed and with great excitement said, "It's an elf! It's an elf!" He asked to see her color-changing hat. He touched her jingle boots and hugged her leg. He asked if she would go to the North Pole and bring back a giant candy cane for him. She was tickled to pieces at his response to her! His big sister said he loves elves more than Santa. (Shhhh! Don't tell the big man!)

Jasmine Jingletoes Is So Excited: Christmas is coming!

Last year Jasmine sang and read stories for school children's Christmas parties. She joined one class for snack time and visited with them. All admired her elf suit and especially those curly-toed jingle boots! 

This year Miss Jingletoes is going virtual! She spreads Christmas cheer with songs, games, stories, and/or conversation. She has both pre-recorded and live options available. Think of the fun your child or a group of children can have interacting with one of Santa's elves!

Btw, Jasmine is my daughter. (I'm the lucky mom of an elf!) You can email her or contact me for more information.

Merry Christmas!

 

Christmas Is Coming! How Do You Feel?

 For many years as a single parent, my answer was B. I was crazy for Christmas, loved every bit of it, but I wore myself out trying to do and see it all and make it magical for my kids. It took a lot of research and experimentation before I figured out how to have the best Christmas every year. Now I live by my Covert Christmas method of advance planning! Be looking for more info on that coming soon! 

A Surprise for General Gingerbread... and Me!

I'm pleased to report that I entered one of my short, children's Christmas stories in a contest and won an honorable mention blog badge and a $5 Amazon e-gift card, plus a personal message. The judges enjoyed my story very much, and it would have been a finalist, I'm told, if I'd followed the guidelines more closely.

The story was to be about a treat. My story features a main character who IS a treat, but there were no edible treats within my storyline. It was my way of distinguishing my story from scores of others that were entered in the contest.

Sometimes thinking outside the box pays off, but this time it kept me from a bigger payoff. However, I'm happy with what I received, especially the feedback. Feedback is not often given these days, as some writers tend to react negatively to even constructive criticism, but it's so valuable! Accept or reject it, but appreciate the offer, that's my advice to you.

I hope you've enjoyed the Christmas season and are ready to embrace the New Year. 2020, here we come!

Christmas with Babies

Some people say Christmas is for kids. I would argue that it's for all ages. After all, Jesus came to be the Savior of the world, and that's not a story just for children! 

At the same time, kids add an extra sparkle, and I know this from experience since last Christmas was my first as a grandma!

 Have you ever seen such a big smile on a baby?

Of course, once there is a baby in the family, everyone wants their turn with the child to enjoy holiday festivities. So, you have to make plans in advance. Last year I got the whole family for Thanksgiving dinner, so Christmas Day went to the other side of the family. We celebrated Christmas 2 days early and then drove together  to enjoy a holiday lights display on Christmas Eve.

This year I won't have just one grandchild, I'll have two! My son's wife is expecting their 2nd daughter on my son's December birthday. Won't that be exciting?

Juggle our usual holiday fun and volunteer work, such as helping at Breakfast with Santa (here she is as an elf with Santa), with family visits with the babies and hopefully teaching my elder granddaughter how to make a Christmas craft, my daughter and I are sure to declare this the best Christmas yet.

So much fun is in my future! Making plans in advance (all year round) always helps make the occasion merry and bright.

Will you be doing any advance planning this year? Have you started (or finished) your gift shopping yet? Remember, planning is what prevents Christmas chaos. You want to relax and enjoy the season. So if you haven't yet, get started now. You'll be glad you did!

True Story, Christmas Eve 2018

TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY: On Christmas Eve as I drove my family (my son, his wife, their baby girl, and also my daughter—who had been in a head-on collision that morning) to see a big holiday lights display, we passed a soup kitchen. My focus was on the road, so I didn't glance at the parking lot, but my son and daughter-in-love did, and they thought they saw a baby's carseat. I could hear them discussing it in the backseat but pretended I didn't. It had been a long, stressful day, and we had places to be and things to do before I could fall onto the couch to sleep (to be closer to my daughter, should she need me). My normally Pollyanna optimistic self said there was no baby in that carseat, and if there was (which I felt sure there wasn't), God would send someone else along to find it. He wouldn't put that on me. Not now.

Finally, my daughter-in-law Hope spoke louder. "Can you hear what we're talking about?"

Sigh. "Yes." Pause. "Were there any cars in the parking lot?"

The pair took turns speaking. "No. Can we go back?" "I'd really feel better if we go look." "What if there is a baby? It could get hypothermia before anyone finds it." "Why would there be a carseat there?" "We need to check it out." "I'm going to worry until we know for sure."

SIGH. Okay, so I turned the car around and drove back to the soup kitchen. Hope leapt out of the car and ran to the carseat...which was empty. A donation, maybe?

I love that my son and his wife both have big, compassionate hearts. That even as tired new parents, they won't turn a blind eye to a possible need. That there is room in their inn for an unexpected baby, should one arrive on Christmas Eve. Maybe when I grow up, I will be more like them. 

My granddaughter, awestruck by all the lights

Confession: I'm a Past Member of the Christmas Peekers Club

Years ago as I browsed the racks at a thrift store, I found a red sweatshirt that proclaimed the wearer as a member of the Christmas Peekers Club. I laughed out loud...and bought it. (I still have it!) You see, as a child I could find hidden gifts without even trying. As a young adult, I could accurately guess what was in a wrapped gift by the size, shape, and weight of the box. And as a mom, I stumbled over gifts that I didn’t mean to see before young hands eagerly held them out to me. Peeking, whether intentional or not, seems to be my superpower.

So, the burning question is How do you thwart a present peeker? As an expert peeker, I can tell you not to leave your list lying around...in a drawer, jewelry chest, or purse, where a snoop might find it. (I found Mom’s list in her jewelry box one day when my only plan was to admire her brooches and rings. See? Superpower!)

1. Disguise gifts by putting them inside different containers. For example, once during my teen years, Mom put all my gifts inside puzzle boxes and gift-wrapped them. I knew they were puzzles by the shape of the boxes and the sound of puzzle pieces rattling around when I shook those boxes. Let me tell you, I was not a happy camper, and when I started opening them on Christmas Eve (as was my family’s tradition) and found used puzzles, I was doubly upset and confused. That’s when Mom told me to take the lids off to see what was inside, and that’s when I found my real presents! Mom got me good that year! You might pack gifts into tins and include a jingle bell or marble to rattle around and confuse the recipient.
2. Wrapped gifts are harder to peek into than gifts tucked into gift bags. Wrapped gifts that are tagged with a number instead of a name prevent the snooper from figuring out which gifts are his or hers.
3. Keep gifts in a secure area. That may be a locked file cabinet, the trunk of your car (if your kids are too young to snoop there), or inside a box labeled as something boring—think “90s Tax Papers” kind of boring. Gifts hidden in a closet, a dresser drawer, or under a quilt in the shower may be found (those are places I found Christmas gifts)! My secure area is a metal filing cabinet in my home office, a room where I spend much of my day. The best secure areas are those that you can easily monitor. Attics and basements aren’t the best choices if you are rarely in those locations yourself. Peekers love having privacy while they are snooping. My favorite time to hunt for hidden presents was while my mom was cooking, because I could search the master bedroom without fear of getting caught! 

A long time ago I learned that peeking at presents presented problems. First, I lost the thrill of surprise. Knowing in advance what my gifts were, made opening them less fun. Then, I gained the stress of needing to act the right level of surprised so that no one realized I had peeked. There was also the stress of not letting my discoveries slip before Christmas. I forgot myself one year as I helped Mom wrap my brother’s presents and said something about another of his gifts that she had not yet brought to the table. How did I know about that other gift? My red-faced, stammered lie, that I was just guessing, didn’t fool Mom.

So, while it’s fun to pretend to be a detective and hunt for hidden presents, it’s not fun to get caught—or to worry about getting caught after the fact—and it’s not fun to face the holiday with no surprises. It’s also not fun to disappoint loved ones who wanted their gifts to be a surprise. Do your best to thwart the peekers in your house. If you’re the peeker, withdraw your membership to the Christmas Peekers Club. Join me on the Surprise Side and enjoy the holidays!