Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birthday, is here in just a few days.  Are you ready?  I hope that even if the presents aren’t bought or wrapped yet, if the house isn’t fully decorated or if the baking isn’t finished, that your heart is ready.  Ready to celebrate His birth.  Ready to celebrate with loved ones.  Ready to share the joy that is Christ with others.

That is what getting more organized at Christmas is all about.  Our first priority really should be the condition of our heart and the freeing feeling of being ready to love others and to share the joy that is in you.

This is the time to plan for the Guest of Honor, Jesus, in your home.  The following are some ideas.

Action Plan     

1.  Let the focus of your home be on Jesus.  Perhaps the central point of your decorations could be the nativity scene. 
2. Have a “Happy Birthday Jesus” party.  This could be for just your children or with their friends too.
3. Read part of the Christmas story in Luke each day until Christmas Eve when you can read Chapter 2 of Luke (see below).
4. Take time to listen to beautiful Christmas music.
5. Take time to read wonderful Christmas stories and books to your children each night before bedtime.
6. Prepare yourself for Jesus by giving Him your whole mind, body, soul and spirit.  That is the best Christmas present you could give your family and Jesus.
7. Plan time to reflect and prepare for the New Year.

Manna from Heaven

(continued from Luke 1:56)

Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

“And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.  Luke 2:1-20

May this Christmas be one full of God’s blessings for you and yours.  I will see you next year!