As my husband, Tyler, and I set up our Christmas tree this year, I couldn’t help but notice the curiosity on our son’s face. Jack sat and watched as we assembled the tree, fluffed the branches, and strung the Christmas lights. As we moved on to hanging the ornaments, we were sure to place the more treasured items out of our nine-month-old's reach.

While we decorated and prepared our home for Christmas, I pondered. What traditions do we want to start this year? How will we help Jack prioritize the real meaning of Christmas? Everyone seems to have their own family traditions – how will we choose what to do?

Although our family doesn’t quite have this solidified yet, here are three things we want to remember at Christmastime.

1. Jesus is the Reason for the Season

It’s not even October before Christmas that everything floods retailers’ sales floors, encouraging consumers to buy all the things. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales convince us we need to purchase these items now because they are finally on sale. Then we get invited to all the parties – the Ugly Sweater Party, the Work Holiday Party, and the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Throw in purchasing gifts for literally everyone we know, ensuring the kids have outfits for all the holiday dress-up days during Spirit Week, baking seven different kinds of cookies, and attending the holiday band, chorus, and orchestra concerts, and it is no wonder that we are often burnt out before we even get to Christmas Eve.

When Jesus came into the world, He had a humble beginning. Mary and Joseph had just come to Bethlehem for the census, called for by the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus. When they couldn’t find any lodging due to all the people in town, they settled in a barn. The Savior of the world, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, was born in a place intended for barn animals on an ordinary night. The Prince of Peace did not have days' worth of perfectly wrapped gifts to open, ornate decorations to welcome His arrival, or a dining hall full of well-dressed guests to celebrate His birth.  Our Wonderful Counselor’s earthly entrance was first shared by an angel to lowly shepherds, who were often considered unclean and distrusted by society. Not exactly today’s A-listers.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.” – Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)

Jesus’ birth fulfilled more than 300 prophecies of the Old Testament, and His life, death, and resurrection fulfilled many others.  Jesus’ birth is the perfect example of how God keeps His promises and can be trusted. Jesus’ birth also reminds us of His sacrifice – innocently dying, defeating death, and rising from the dead so that one day we can have a perfect relationship with our Creator forever.

So how does one keep Jesus at the center of Christmas? Consider incorporating daily scripture into your family’s routine. There are many Advent devotionals available for all ages that could give your family a starting point. You could also set up a nativity scene in a frequented area of your home and talk about the different figures with your loved ones. There are many nativity options available, even for the littlest members of the family.

2. Think About Others

In the hustle and bustle of the season, it is easy to think only about one’s circle of friends and family. As Christ’s followers, however, we are called to love one another and spread the good news of Jesus, even at the busiest time of the year.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians,

“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 the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Jesus was the best model of how to put others before ourselves. Jesus lived a perfect life on Earth and put the needs of others above His own comfort. When it was time to be hung on a cross as punishment for a crime He did not commit, He willingly died so those who believed in Him would be saved from eternal separation from God.

Take a few moments and consider the abundance of opportunities available to your family to serve others during this season. You don’t have to look very far to find toy drives, coat drives, fundraisers, childcare needs, and volunteer openings. One person or family certainly can’t take on everything, but what is just one thing that you can do?

Perhaps you purchase an extra pair of gloves the next time you are at Target. And while you are selecting those gloves, you start a conversation with your child or shopping partner about why you are purchasing that item. Better yet, maybe your child would like to pick something out for another girl or boy their age that needs warm clothes or a fun toy this Christmas. Before dropping off the item, pray with your family that the person who receives the gift would come to know Jesus as their Savior.

3. Enjoy the Season

The Christmas season brings so many enjoyable opportunities! Christmas light-up events, viewing the classical ballet The Nutcracker, attending (or playing in) holiday concerts, entering ugly Christmas sweater contests, and enjoying the delicious seasonal foods and drinks are just some of the perks of the Christmas season.

Christmas music is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. From classic hymns such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” to pop-culture favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” Christmas music just has a comforting familiarity to it that no other holiday can match. Another thing about Christmas music is that it really should only be played at Christmas time. The music just doesn’t have the same feel to it in April that it does in November and December.

Just like the angels who sang praises to God at the first Christmas, we too can share the good news through music and worship.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)

What are your favorite parts about the Christmas season? What do you make time for each year? Consider inviting your friends or family to partake in those seasonal activities with you. Instead of swinging by Starbucks alone, text a friend you haven’t chatted with in a while to meet you for a Peppermint Mocha. Encourage your study group to grab dinner together and then attend an Orchard Hill Christmas service. Have a family movie night at home to watch your favorite Christmas movies – matching pajamas required!

Amid the gift wrapping, Christmas outfit coordinating, and candy cane buying, make sure your family slows down enough to remember the true meaning of Christmas. In a few weeks, the cookies will be eaten, the decorations will return to storage, and our calendar will turn to a new month. Christmas will be over, but the promise of hope, peace, and restoration that Jesus brings will still be available to all who call Him the Lord of their life. What a perfect Christmas gift.