Putting Christ, back into CHRIST-mas.

T'was the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.

No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa read the paper in his lap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being over burdened
for no ryme or reason
Let's put Christ back in Christmas
and remember Him this special season.

I find it way easy to forget the real reason for this Christmas season. I get so caught up in finding the perfect gifts for my kids, working extra hard for money to buy these gifts, decorating my house in all the cute santa decorations and lights, wreaths and stalkings.

I asked my boys the other day, why we celebrate Christmas. Here were some of their answers; (mind you they are 4) snow falls down, to wrap presents, make Frosty the Snowman.

sad.

i have failed as their mother.


Let's just say, that is all about to change. And here some ideas to do it.

1. Visit Temple Square, see the lights and watch the nativity.

2. Christ taught to love and serve others, so we will be doing this activity for Family Home Evening.

3. We are going to make Jesus a Birthday Cake.

4. Loved this idea to incorporate scriptures into the Christmas Season.

5. If you read this post a while back about a fun Thanksgiving Idea by my pal Char, then you might like this idea that was thought up by, yours truly.

In keeping with the whole tree idea, I thought it would be fun to cut out a big Christmas tree to mount to the wall. Instead of leaves, we would tape ornaments which would be ideas on gifts you could give friends and families. For example. One could say, "clean my room to help mom".

I also want to cut out "gift boxes", these would be labeled with gift ideas you have given to Jesus (since it is afterall His Birthday) for example, shovel someone's walk, then put up a gift under your tree that says "service".

6. The Nativity. Of course every year we re-inact this out. My kids seem to enjoy it, and it has been fun to see them play the different parts. (especially when James is the donkey) hee hee

Well that's it folks, hope your christmas is filled with Christ.

-Jami