A Christmas Challenge

It's the most wonderful time of the year right?! There's hot chocolate, Christmas movies on TV, sparkling lights, a beautiful Christmas tree, family traditions, and tons of food! This is the time of year where everyone takes that extra step to be cheery and good hearted.....but, when we take a closer look, this is also the most selfish time of year. Sorry to burst your Christmas ornament bubble, but it's true. Let's check out some common Christmas phrases that everyone has been guilty of saying before...

-This year for Christmas I want....
-You can't decorate the tree without me being there!
-You made the cookies while I was gone?
-This isn't what I asked for....

Now, those are just a few, I'm sure there are many others we could add to this list. Whether we've said them ourselves or we've heard others say them. The sad reality is that although we want to be good natured and celebrate with family and friends, we take this time and turn it into another form of selfish pleasure. Lets be honest, it can ruin our whole Christmas day if we don't receive that ONE present we really wanted. How messed up is that?

So, how do we fix this you may ask?! That is where "A Christmas Challenge" comes in! Now I was going to try and even them out and make them all come on certain days up until Christmas, but instead I encourage you to do these in a time God may call you to do them in :) The Bible reminds us that we can plan all we want, but His plan for us will always prevail! Let's take a look at each of these challenges, and this year instead of get in a selfish season, get into a selfless one!
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Challenge #1: Practice The Spirit Of Giving
This time of year we can tend to focus more on what we want then on what we give. This year let's try and change that! 2 Corinthians 9:7 says "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.""

Think of your friends, your family, your kids, your spouse, your neighbors...etc. and go that extra mile to make sure that they have a smile on their face this Christmas! Bake them cookies, buy them that gift you know they'd enjoy, take some time out of your schedule to spend quality time with them, make them a homemade card. There are so many things you can do in order to show that person you care for them! Giving is the greatest gift of this lifetime. Without it we would all be doomed. God gave His only Son, Mary gave birth to Jesus and then Jesus gave His life for us. WOW! What a great gift! And although our worldly gifts will never amount to the amazingness of His ultimate gift, giving is still a way we can show others about His gift this Christmas :)

Challenge #2: Pray For Those Less Fortunate This Christmas

This is such a cliche thing to say. But think about it, how many times do we devote ourselves to actually praying for others? We walk around all Christmas long buying things and once again pass that homeless girl/guy on the street. Proverbs 29:7 says "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."

We all see them, everywhere, anytime of the year. There are people out there who are less fortunate than us. Without a house, without clothes, without food. We are so blessed to live the life God grants us with and we should rejoice in the things we possess because of His blessings. But this Christmas, try and stop and remember the people you pass. The ones who may have no home to go back to for Christmas, who may have no Christmas cookies, family members to sing Christmas carols with or even any money to think about gifts. Christmas is a symbol of hope, His hope! So this year, take that extra moment to pray that God may give hope to those poor people we see daily, that He may protect them and fill them with the bread of life.

Challenge #3: Take One Day To Shop For Others

Everyone gets a little side-tracked during shopping. It happens to me every time I step into a Target (and I know that every girl can relate to that!) But around this time of year we can get overly distracted. Things like....

-Oh, I got this for so-and-so but I think I'd really like one too....

-I came to get this for so-and-so and left with this for myself instead....

-"I got this for you and almost didn't wrap it up because I wanted it so bad!"

Philippians 2:3-5 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:"

This one is pretty self explanatory.... This year lets try and take at least one full day where we simply just enjoy the gift of shopping for others. Let's put away the lists we've created for ourselves and focus on others! :) Challenge accepted?! Right?

Challenge #4: Remember The Real Meaning Of Christmas

We, as humans, make such a habit of "upping" our holiday seasons. Easter includes a bunny, Thanksgiving involves a turkey, Christmas involves a santa.....etc. Easter includes an egg hunt, Thanksgiving involves the Macy's Day Parade, Christmas involves picture with Santa.....etc. Easter has turned into a celebration of eating candy, Thanksgiving has turned into a celebration of food in general, Christmas has turned into a celebration of gifts....etc.

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heave and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:10-14

There really isn't much more I need to say, those words alone carry so much joy and power! Let us all go out and remember and tell of the TRUE reason for the season :)