8 Simple Ways To Have a Christ-Centered Christmas

8 Simple Ways To Have a Christ-Centered Christmas

This post is going to be a little different than what you might expect. For many years now, I have come to the truth of what Christmas actually means, and as such, have not celebrated Christmas since.

Christmas was not originally about the birth of Jesus. 

The origins of Christmas derive from pagan traditions whereby various different pagan cultures would celebrate the winter solstice. There was also a feast back in ancient Rome called Saturnalia that would celebrate the solstice, and the pagan god saturn. Saturnalia was celebrated just like Christmas with gift-giving, feasts, drinking, and so on.

The Catholics would merge the pagan traditions with Christian ones, to create the celebration of Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ. However, Jesus was not born in the winter. With previous studies that I have done, He was most likely born in September-October. Nonetheless, we do not know the exact day and time of when our Lord and Savior was born. But please don’t think that Christmas is when He was actually born.

The Bible tells us to:

• Not be influenced by the world (Romans 12:2)
• Not worship other gods/religions and their traditions (Exodus 20:3-5)
• Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

There are so many Christmas traditions that are actually adopted from pagan customs such as santa, gift-giving, caroling, kissing under a mistletoe and Christmas tree decorating. I will explain about all of these in more details further down, but I just want to say this:

Everyday we are to worship God, put Him first and do His Will in our lives. To me, I see Christmas as just another day to worship and glorify God and follow the plans He has for me in my life. It is up to you as to whether or not you want to continue to celebrate Christmas. I am here speaking truth and light about the holiday, so that you become more aware of it all.

As such, here are 8 simple ways to have a Christ-Centered ‘Christmas’:

1. Put God First

First things first, put God first in all that you do. Let Him be the center-focus, especially during this time. Continue to follow Him and do His Will in your life. Always stay in prayer and keep your eyes focused on things above, and not of this world.

2. Get Rid Of Santa

The modern take on Santa Claus (also known as St Nicholas) is an old man with a big white beard, dressed in red and white (which actually came from Coca-Cola) who lives in the North Pole with his wife, some elves and his reindeer. But, the concept of an old man like Santa Claus, giving out gifts to children on Christmas goes back to pagan times.

Odin, a pagan god, was the original ‘santa’ who was an old man with a long white beard. He owned an 8-legged horse named Sleipnir that he would ride. Children would fill their boots in the winter with carrots for the Sleipner and Odin would reward them with presents (similar to presents being left in stockings on Christmas).

I do not let my child think that Santa is okay or that he can be worshipped during Christmas time, and that she can sit on his lap and tell him what she wants for Christmas. I do not let santa dictate whether or not my daughter has been good or bad. I tell my daughter the truth about who Santa Claus really is.

3. Avoid Pagan Traditions To Create a Christ-Centered Christmas

As I had mentioned before, there are many pagan traditions that have been modernized into Christmas traditions. We are not to worship other gods, or celebrate the things that people of other religions, including the pagans. We are only to follow Jesus and His traditions, His commandments, His ways. Let go of the idea that you need to put up a Christmas tree and wreath to decorate the place, or to fill up stockings with presents for your children. How does any of that glorify God (if the foundation for all of these traditions are pagan)?

4. Do Things That Celebrate Jesus

Do things that celebrate Jesus, rather than glorify pagan/worldly traditions. Continue to do what you would normally do each day. Have a morning routine that revolves around spending time with God each day. Stay in prayer, and glorify God all day long!

5. Show The Love Of Christ Towards Others

We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), and as such we need to continue to shine our light upon others and show the love of Christ towards others. Let everything that you do be done in love. Keep spreading the good news to others and love your neighbors.

6. Go To Church

The Catholics created a midnight mass on Christmas and protestants have mass on Christmas Eve. Other Churches have adopted similar services too. If your Church has a service and you wish to attend, then that sounds good! Going to Church and continuing to fellowship with others is all part of our walk with Christ.

7. Listen To Worship Music

Going door-to-door caroling was a Norse and Germanic tradition known as “wassailing”. These people would go to their neighbors, drunk, and singing to them for their good health. The Catholics took this concept and turned it into caroling by singing songs about Jesus with choirs.

Spend this time to listen to worship music, and stay away from any kind of music that does not glorify God. There are many wonderful carols and other music that talks about the birth and life of Jesus, and then there are some which may focus too much on Christmas than God.

8. Check Out My Jesus Bible-Reading Plan to have a Christ-Centered Christmas!

Spend these next few weeks by doing my Bible-reading plan which goes through all of the scriptures talking about the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This will help you get in the right frame of mind as you keep a Christ-Centered Christmas. It will also encourage you to grow in the faith and learn more about Jesus.

You can find the Jesus Bible-reading plan in my FREE resources library! Gain FREE ACCESS here!

I pray that what I have shared with you today encourages you to learn more about the truth of Christmas, and how to keep this time Christ-Centered, rather than falling into the trap of these pagan traditions. Keep standing strong in the faith, praying daily, spending time with God, reading and meditating on His Word, and following His Will in your life.

God Bless.

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