Christmas is an exciting holiday celebrated around the world. While many Christians work to keep Christ at the center of the holiday, it's easy to lose sight of the reason for the season amid the festivities. Here are a few meaningful ways to include your Christian values in the holidays this year. 

How to Keep Christ in Christmas

1. Remember the Gospel

The best way to honor your Christian faith is to remember the message of the gospel. This can be especially beneficial if you have children and want to help them understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Read the Christmas story in the New Testament, including Mary and Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus in the manger, and the gifts of the Magi. It will remind you why you celebrate and explain the origins of many holiday traditions. 

2. Observe Advent

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas day and anticipates the arrival of Christ. It’s celebrated with scripture readings, an advent wreath, and the lighting of advent candles.

Traditionally, an evergreen wreath is topped with five candles symbolizing the four weeks of the Christmas season. While the first four candles are lit throughout the month, each representing a different theme, the fifth candle is lit on Christmas Eve and signifies the birth of Christ.

3. Set up a Nativity Scene

Holiday decorations can make your home merry and bright but can also distract from the true meaning of Christmas. Nativity scenes decorate your home for the holiday while telling the story of the birth of Jesus.

Nativity sets are available in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from tabletop displays to outdoor scenes. In some family traditions, the nativity is displayed throughout the month without the baby Jesus. He is added on Christmas eve to symbolize his arrival. 

Keep Christ in Christmas this year by visiting City of Refuge Christian Church in Waipahu, HI. For over 30 years, this non-denominational church has provided a spiritual home for individuals from all walks of life. Contact them today at (808) 677-5677 or visit their website for more information about their online worship services.