The holiday season can easily get overwhelming and the true meaning can quickly fade. Here are 5 Ways to put the meaning of Christmas into your décor.
Santa Claus, reindeer, angels, elves, bells, bows, ribbons and tulle.
The season overflows with a million themes to decorate your home for Christmas.
But what if this year you really want to hone in on the true meaning of Christmas? To take a step back from the gifts, the fluff and the fodder.
What if this year you infuse Jesus into ever detail of your season. What would that look like? What would it feel like? What would it smell and taste like?
Surrender.
It would be sweet surrender to the true root of why we celebrate in the first place. A funneling down of all the commercial marketing to a miracle.
The best and most meaningful miracle ever.
The birth of our Savior. Who came in the most unexpected, unanticipated way as a swaddled baby in a lowly manger. No pomp and circumstance surrounding this precious moment in time.
My heart is burdened with bringing this kind of Christmas to our home this year. A Christmas where my children move forward in understanding the amazing gift that Christ’s birth is, in and of itself. A season so full that my husband and I, along with any guest that enters our home, can’t help but feel Christ’s presence in the comfort of our walls.
So how do I bring that to fruition? How can you? Here are some practical ways to poise everything to point to Jesus.
After all, decorating isn’t just about what you see. It’s about a feeling, and feelings include all the senses. Even more, it’s what you make of it.
- What you see: The subtle way you word the season speaks volumes. Does your Christmas card say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? There is a difference. Subtle, but it’s still there. Referring to the season as holiday, merry and bright or phrases like season’s greeting are all beautiful, but they don’t point to Jesus. It’s a moment of lost opportunity to share the meaning of why we celebrate. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. It’s actually a bold statement when celebrated for the true meaning. By calling it what it is you’re proclaiming it’s meaning. So shout MERRY CHRISTMAS if you want to point the words others see to Jesus. It’s a small way to invite others to the truth. Be selective in the artwork, pillows…anything with words…and make sure they point to the reason for the season. Luke 2:11
- What you smell: Smells evoke memories. A fragrant meal simmering on the stove can beckon you back to your favorite childhood encounter with a loved one. What smell reminds you of Christmas? Is it a fresh cut Christmas tree, Cranberry Sauce or maybe Spice Cake? Once you settle in on a smell memory that brings you joyful Christmas feelings go buy that fragrance candle. When you burn it let it be a moment to stop and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the miracle of God sending his son through a virgin mother…for YOU. Ask God to reveal himself to you this season. Philippians 4:18
- What you touch: Touch is reaching out and grabbing something. This Christmas reach out a grab someone’s heart. Touch their soul. Invite others to gather around your table. People can be very lonely this time of year. Pray for God to show you someone who could use some love and reach out and grab them up. Share your home with them. Share your God with them through inviting the uninvited to fellowship. What good are all your Christmas decorations if they aren’t shared? Go set a lovely, extravagant Christmas table and serve someone a feast of love. Luke 14: 12-14
- What you taste: Food is a universal gift. Everyone has to eat. Why not make a treat to share with someone unexpected? Wrap it with the word of God. You can pray over food you make, or if you’re not crafty in the kitchen buy something to repackage. Write a personal note of thanks or praise paired with a Christmas scripture and sprinkle the true meaning of Christmas to your mailman, dry cleaner, coffee barista, kid’s teachers and grumpy neighbors. Having trouble loving a challenging person? Share with them especially! Let others taste and see that the Lord is good this Christmas. Psalm 34:8
- What you hear: Maybe you haven’t moved into full blown Christian music yet. It took me a while to get to the point where my radio is constantly tuned to a Christian station. BUT…I have always adored Christmas music. Most Christmas music points to Jesus. So crank it up, enjoy it and let it be the catapult to change. Play it so much that when Christmas passes you feel empty without worshiping the Lord with the sound of His music. Let this music be the backdrop of your home. Turn the TV off and let Christmas music fill the air instead. Psalm 69:30
You can scroll Pinterest for a million ways to decorate, crafts to make and goodies to bake, but the meaning you give them is up to you. You can choose to see and share Christ through all of them. You just have to change your perspective, not your décor.
Originally, this post was written for my friend, Melanie’s blog. She put together an amazing event for the holidays called Making the most of Jesus and invited a slew of Christian bloggers to write about the different ways to focus on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus! I hope you will check out the series on her blog www.melanieredd.com.
That was very beautiful and filled with meaningful suggestions. Thank you and praise God for putting it in your heart to write and share.
Wendy, thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a spirit filled season!
Thanks so much Kim for the encouragement to keep my focus on Jesus during this Christmas season and to reach out to others with His love.
You are welcome, we get so busy, I need the reminder daily!!!
I want this to be my focus this year (and every year, really) – thank you. These are simple things that don’t overwhelm me.
me too, sometimes it gets so hard. prayers
These are just gorgeous.You should be proud of your work.
thank you Nancy!