Christmas is a time of reflection, celebration, worship and giving to others.  It’s also a time for family gatherings, food and receiving.  The focus of Jesus’ birth is often overshadowed by the later category (especially when Santa is involved).  Here are a few ideas for to keep the meaning of the day front and center:

• Things to ponder about Christmas: John Piper argues that Christmas is more than a bend in history.  He also explains six shadows from the Old Covenant that Christmas removes – the priesthood, the Passover sacrifice, the tabernacle and temple, circumcision, dietary laws and feast days.  Think about what the miracle of the incarnation and the virgin birth
• Family party help: Don Whitney provides 10 questions to ask at Christmas to move past the typical shallow family conversations such as “What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?”.  Chris Castaldo furthers Whitney’s ideas by providing four ideas for how to handle the family gathering.  Desiring God offers ten suggestions to have conversations about Jesus with close friends and family
• Traditions: FamilyLife offers ten ideas for activites to bring the family together to serve others and keep Christ in Christmas
• Santa and Christmas: Mark Driscoll explains how he deals with Santa in his family
• Other: Coloring heets from FamilyLife following the theme of “What God Wants for Christmas”