The Countdown has begun…Christmas is here!

With the arrival of December, also comes the Christmas countdown of the 25 days of Christmas! We have 21 days to go for Christmas. Although some of us may have started the planning before, December 1st seems like it officially gives the okay to begin the celebrations! No other season quite brings the excitement and anticipation like Christmas does. This is all the more reason for believers in Christ to use these 21 days of Christmas to place our focus on Him!

There are so many ways to do this... As the lyrics of the song, on the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me... From the song on 12 days of Christmas kept ringing in my ear, I was reminded of what I need to send during this period of countdown to Christmas. The theme of the season is God sending His Son to us. Can we think of ways we can make this season meaningful? We have three weeks to go for Christmas.

Here are some suggestions on what you can do in the next three weeks!

1^st Week – Preparation Week

    -Decide and pray about what you want Christmas to be like this year. Make a list of what you want to do for the next few weeks. Make the Christmas season a stress free one. Don’t plan to cram everything in the last week before Christmas. Take time to have devotions as a family by reading the story of the birth of Christ from Matthew 1:18-24 & 2:1-12 and Luke Chapter 2. Have a discussion on what appealed to each of the family members and the message learnt. Apply it to how you can make this season meaningful. Make some resolutions as a family or individually and put them down. You could resolve to establish good healthy habits. Prioritize your life to make it meaningful. Take stock of what you can weed out of your life. Mary prepared herself to bring the Savior into this world. Let us prepare ourselves for this Christmas.

2^nd Week - Gifts and Sharing week

    -Try to think of ways you can give of yourself. Think of the needy and lonely who may just need a friend. Make a list of people you could visit which could add a great joy in their life. Have Christmas programs in your neighborhood, Apartments or even your workplace and invite those who have never heard of Jesus. Visit at least one Home for the deprived/disabled/old and spend quality time with them. Don’t give gifts to those you know for sure they will return the gift! Give to those who can never repay. Take time to invite your friends for our Christmas Outreach Programs on 17 and 18 Dec. The shepherds declared widely the birth of Christ. How much more we need to share the good news!

This is also the week we are busy decorating our home. Take time to notice your heart. Is it clean and beautiful for the Lord to dwell in it?

3^rd Week - Celebration week

    -Enjoy this time worshipping God with family and friends. Take time to worship the Lord with all your heart. Praise Him and thank Him for all He has done for you. Just worship Him for who He is and not for just giving you what you need. Thank Him even for the blessings you cannot see. Turn your heart towards God and relax. The Maggi rejoiced greatly and worshipped Him!

Now, You're organized and you're in control. You have arrived and it is time to celebrate!

Enjoy this wonderful season!