Are you letting the details of this season overshadow the birthday we should be celebrating?

All too easily, we become submersed in going to Christmas parties, exchanging gifts, decorating the tree, frosting the gingerbread men, etc. All of these things are good but they are not the reason we have lasting hope and joy.

This Christmas, make it about the King.

How are we sharing the gift of His birth with others?

Here are 6 ways we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

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1 • May the gifts we exchange be a representation of the eternal gift of salvation we have received through Jesus Christ.

» Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. • James 1:17

» Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! • 2 Corinthians 9:15

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2 • Through the stress of completing our to-do lists, may we find joy in our busiest days because we are walking with Him.

» May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. • Romans 15:13

» When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. • Matthew 2:10

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3 • This Christmas, may we use every opportunity to express Christian love to one another. 

» Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. • Romans 12:10

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4 • May we remember to leave our burdens at the cross of the One who came to save us. 

» But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” • Luke 2:10

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5 • We have the ability to crown Christ as the “Prince of Peace” in our lives no matter what our circumstances are this Christmas.

» For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. • Isaiah 9:6

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6 • The lights on our tree will never come close to THE LIGHT of Jesus Christ who came into this world to save us. 

» The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. • John 1:14

» Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. • 1 Timothy 1:15-17

 

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Haley Katherine Yow is a current student at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She is an English major with a 6-9 teaching license who plans to return to her hometown, Sanford, NC, upon graduation.

Haley enjoys incorporating her love of writing and teaching with God’s word to share with her readers that our day-to-day scripts do not always align with God’s perfect timing and will for our lives.

To read more from Haley, visit her blog, https://imperfectlyplanned.com.