Christmas Countdown Challenge, Week 4-celebration

Well, here we are at the final week of our countdown! In the past three weeks of this Christmas season, we have worked on controlling our worries, helping others, and accomplishing our to-do list with peace and determination. I think it’s time to rejoice, don’t you?

This week’s Christmas Countdown Challenge is to remember the meaning of Christmas and to rejoice in the season. I will start by writing a relevant Scripture at the top of my to-do list, and then read it throughout the week as I finish up Christmas preparations. In this last week of hurriedness, my goal is to stay focused on the Christmas story and its message of everlasting joy. Join me in celebrating! The Scripture we will focus on:

“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!” Matthew 2:10 NLT

Here are a few actions we can take to apply this Scripture in our lives:

• Read the nativity story as told in Luke 2. Spend some time reading Scripture that tells about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. A life application Bible is a helpful tool for understanding the meaning of the Bible text. Searching the internet for Christmas Bible verses can also provide additional learning. After we read, let’s see if we can come up with at least three things we did not know before about this story.
• Build family traditions. Activities that we do every year at Christmas time help our family members feel connected and special. Be sure to allow time to enjoy these activities, and not just rush to get them in. Brainstorm on new ideas to carry forward to next year. My family enjoys driving around town for a tour of lights and playing board games together. Other popular activities include: ice skating, decorating cookies, watching Christmas movies, using an Advent calendar, reading holiday books, and singing carols. Let’s find something new to try this year!
• Celebrate the season, really. When Christmas Eve arrives, and the hustle and bustle has run out of time, let’s remember to take a breath and just celebrate the moment. After being immersed in an environment of hurry all month, it is easy to continue to feel rushed. We can take time to regroup and be fully present in conversations, taste food with gratitude, and deliver embraces with genuine care.
• Meet the Christmas Countdown Challenge. Think back over the last four weeks and our goals for each week. This year, in a month that quickly becomes overwhelming, we sought to control worry, help others having a difficult time celebrating, accomplish our tasks with a calm sense of purpose, and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas. Simply approaching my to-do list with these overall goals in mind, helped me keep a positive attitude and prevented me from getting swept away by my own busyness. I hope taking on this challenge helped you in some way as well. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Prayer for the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the greatest gift of all, your son Jesus Christ. Help me study your Word, and work to fully appreciate the meaning of this gift. Let my family’s bond be strengthened this Christmas as we spend time enjoying each other’s company and building our traditions. Remind me to look and listen for your holy presence in my celebrations. And, thank you for carrying me through the season, making sense of life through your Word.

Resources:

Attached you will find a to-do list document with the Scripture for the week displayed in the heading. Print it, if you would like, and refer to the Scripture throughout the week. Be filled with joy!

To-do List with Scripture, Week 4