“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Is. 9:2 NIV

We’re all familiar with the complaints. Back-to-School days start up in July, Halloween is a “blip” on the radar and Christmas begins, on the retail level, before Thanksgiving arrives, in fact before the Fall color fades. Then there’s the commercialization of Christmas that has turned it into a Black Friday nightmare. It’s no wonder that by the time Christmas morning roles around all anyone wants to do is blow through a stack of presents, eat a big meal and take a nap. (Depending on your age one of those three will match up fine)

So, I’m challenging you men as husbands and fathers to take Christmas back this year. Fight for the real reason we celebrate. Change your family’s patterns this season and do something different. Over the years our family has done multiple things to try to keep the reason in focus. You can look for ways to serve others. Have you children pick out a gift for someone their age that is less fortunate. Help wrap gifts for families in need. Choose an Advent calendar and “meet with your family” daily in December to remember the Christmas Story. If you miss a day (or two) catch up or move on but stay committed to reminding your family, why we celebrate. Serve a meal to the homeless together or invite someone who is alone this time of year to your table. There are so many ways we can take Christmas back from the world.

On Christmas morning, when your kids can’t wait to rip open some packages, stop and read the Christmas story from Luke or turn on Charlie Brown’s Christmas and let Linus read it. (a classic in our household) If your family is big enough, find some props and assign each one a part and have them act out the story as you read from Luke. We did this with our adult children when our grand girls were younger. We laughed as the “Three Kings” (our three sons) showed up at the manager where their sister was an angel and their nieces were Joseph and Mary. It was silly, fun and sometimes embarrassing, but the laughter was in good fun as we reminded each other of just WHY we celebrate.

The world has done a job on Christmas and tried its best to drowned out the real meaning. It’s up to us to change that. So, take back Christmas this year by leading your family in the celebration and not just sleeping on the couch! When you slow them down on Christmas morning with the story they will moan and groan, but, if you “write it on their hearts” they will never forget the real reason we celebrate!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6 NIV

For another story you can read with your family try this story I wrote a few years ago. https://itwasonmymind.blog/2015/12/22/gifts-for-a-king/