One of the practices in which I engage daily is a review of notes and highlights I’ve made in the various books and articles I’ve read. The other morning, this quote by M. Scott Boren, in his book MissioRelate, popped up: “We spend far more time talking about Jesus than we do encountering him. All of our energy is invested in getting our facts about the Jesus stories correct. How much energy do we invest in allowing Jesus to shape us to live out his story today?”
I thought this was so appropriate as we are in the midst of the season of Advent and preparing for the celebration of Christmas. So often this season is about retelling events from the past when it really should include encountering the God with us in the present moment.
I know the Advent and Christmas seasons are among the most beloved times in the Christian calendar, filled with lights, music, and cherished traditions. But amid the gift-giving, pageantry, and celebrations, there is often a yearning to go deeper—beyond keeping Christ in Christmas to truly experiencing Christ at Christmas. When we experience Christ, we can encounter His presence in ways that transform our lives and the lives of those around us.
I’ve discovered that these two aspects—keeping and experiencing Christ—are inseparable. Here are a few reflections to help you embrace both this Advent and Christmas season.
1. Keeping Christ in Christmas: A Deliberate Focus
To keep Christ in Christmas, we must make conscious choices that reflect our faith in the everyday moments of this sacred season.
- Simplify Your Celebrations: Resist the pressure to buy into commercialized expectations. Instead, prioritize traditions that focus on worship, service, and connection. Consider hosting a birthday party for Jesus and purchasing baby items for a local shelter or participating in a “reverse Advent calendar” by adding an item to donate to those in need each day.
- Practice Intentional Worship: Attend your local church’s Advent and Christmas services. These moments of corporate worship center us on Christ, grounding our celebrations in the story of God’s love.
- Rediscover the Story: The nativity story isn’t just history; it’s a living invitation. Read Luke 2 and Matthew 1-2 with fresh eyes. What does it mean that God chose to enter the world in the vulnerability of a baby, in the simplicity of a manger? Reflecting on the humility of Christ’s birth can challenge us to embrace simplicity and humility in our own celebrations.
By doing these things, we push against the cultural tide and remind ourselves and others of the true reason we celebrate: God’s love made flesh in Jesus Christ.
2. Experiencing Christ at Christmas: An Invitation to Transformation
Keeping Christ in Christmas can become a checklist of things to do, but the greater invitation is to experience Christ anew. This means opening our hearts to His presence and responding to His call to love, serve, and be transformed.
- Welcome Christ in Others: Experience Christ by seeing Him in the faces of those in need. Whether it’s serving at a food pantry, visiting the lonely, or offering radical hospitality to a stranger, every act of kindness reflects Christ’s love.
- Live Out the Incarnation: God became flesh and dwelt among us. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His presence. Share the good news through your words and actions. When someone asks, “Why are you so joyful this season?” don’t shy away from proclaiming your faith.
- Rest in Christ’s Peace: Christmas isn’t about perfection. The first Christmas was messy—a stable, a manger, an unwed mother—but it was also holy. Embrace the peace of Christ by letting go of unattainable expectations and finding joy in God’s presence amid life’s imperfections.
The Heart of Christmas
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, often spoke of the need for both personal and social holiness. Similarly, our experience of Christmas should be both personal and communal. We keep Christ in Christmas by prioritizing Him in our practices, but we experience Christ when we allow His presence to shape us and shine through us.
This Christmas, may we live into the fullness of this sacred season. Let us keep Christ at the center of our celebrations and open ourselves to the transformative power of His love. By doing so, we can embody the hope, peace, joy, and love that define this holy season—and share them with a world longing to encounter the living Christ.
Merry Christmas and blessings to you in this season of holy celebration!
Reflection Questions for Readers:
- What traditions help you keep Christ in Christmas?
- How have you experienced Christ’s presence during the Advent and Christmas seasons?
- How can your church help others encounter Christ this Christmas?