A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Martha G. Zimmerman received the Campus Life Book of the Year Award of Merit 1984 for her second book, Should I Keep My Baby? published by Bethany House Publishers. Based on approximately 100 personal interviews with people who have lived through every side of unexpected teenage pregnancy, this book sensitively leads a young woman through a series of questions to a responsible decision. Her first book, Celebrate the Feasts, published by Bethany House Pubishers in 1981, provides guidance for Christian families wanting to celebrate the feasts and festivals described in Leviticus 23.
Mrs. Zimmerman was born in Carbondale, Illinois. She is a graduate of Monmouth College in Illinois where she received a B.A. in Home Economics. She taught Junior High in Long Beach, California. She has been an active counselor and trusted advisor to junior highs, highschoolers, single young adults and young parents; a frequent speaker for church groups and service clubs with guest appearances on radio and television. She received the diploma in Christian Ministries from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1978.
“Prepare a road for the Lord through the wilderness, clear a highway across the desert for our God. Thus shall the glory of the Lord be revealed” Isaiah 40:3, 4.
Please read this introductory verse again and allow it to speak to you before going on . .
Regularly, by our actions, we tell our children what we think is important. We are living proof of what our hearts desire. There is no better example of this than in our celebrations. Our actions speak so loudly we can easily make it difficult for our children to hear what we are saying.
What do you really believe about Christmas? Based on what you believe are you willing to open your heart and life to the possibility that God wants to change the way you celebrate the remembrance of his birth?
In the simple words of the Shorter Catechism the reason for our existence is: “to love God and enjoy him forever.” Do you love the Lord? Do you really enjoy him during your holiday celebrations? What might you do differently this year if the goal of your family was to honour him in your home in this Holy Season? I can assure you from personal experience God will bless even a stumbling, hesitant, imperfect attempt to include him in the festivities. In fact, he will love it! He already loves you!
What I want to suggest should not become a burden. The activities are not designed to be dull and boring. Instead they are meant to help you focus on the truth of the season. Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” John 10:10. I believe that as families celebrate the truth they will experience the joy!
For a change we are not going to begin to think about Christmas with the familiar stories in Luke and Matthew. Peter, writing in 2 Peter 1:16 said, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power of coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul, writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:4 said, “Don’t pay attention to myths and mere speculation rather than furthering God’s provision which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussions” (and celebrations). Have you ever felt frustrated when all of your efforts to provide a “happy Christmas” in the end seemed fruitless?
Back to 2 Peter 1:17: “He (Jesus) received honour and glory from God the Father (when his Father said) This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.”
“And so we have the prophetic work made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” v. 19.
Revelation 22:16 tells us that “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things . . I am the root and the offspring of David, I am the bright morning star.” Does the morning star, Jesus, arise in your heart during the busy pre-Christmas, or Advent season?
Second Peter 2:2, 3 shows us the position we are in and helps us realize we have been victimized. It’s not surprising we find ourselves in this dilemma when we consider the power that has been at work to get us to where we are! “And many will follow their sensuality and because of them the way of truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words.” Isn’t that a picture of TV commercials and store windows during our celebrations?
Second Timothy 4:34 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” God who was well pleased to send his only Son to live and die and be raised again, has provided, through his Son, the only way for us to enter into a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
If you had never practised any traditions in relation to Christmas, how might you go about celebrating the truth of Christmas? What might you do to show your appreciation for his gift? When I pause and reflect on many of the traditions repeated each year at Christmas I am personally convicted by the works of Matthew 15:6, “You invalidate the word of God for the sake of your traditions.” Romans 6:16 says, “You are slaves to the one whom you obey.”
What I am about to do is suggest ways you as a Christian parent might teach your children about the Lord in your home in the context of the events told to us in Scripture concerning Jesus.
Families go through stages. You may have small children which will require more activity resulting in lots of excitement Families with older children or adults only may schedule more meditation and thoughtful discussions. If you are living alone, you should reach out to other who are alone and make this Christmas special for them. It is important to remember that it isn’t the number of repetitious practices that we endure , or stress ourselves to accomplish; it isn’t the number (or number of varieties) of cookies that we bake (or eat) that guarantees success but the careful selection of priorities and practices which best fit the time available, the individual needs of family members and the occasion we are seeking to remember.
Now we are ready to turn to the story and reason for our celebration. Please join me as we come upon the Magi asking, “where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.” The question of the Magi becomes our question. Where is he so that we may truly worship him?”
The Christian year begins with the birth of a baby. No one knows the exact day when Jesus was born. Perhaps God presented him during the “lambing” season. He was gently laid in a manger where animals came to feed. Everyone loves to see a new baby. I’m sure this baby was no exception. Two groups of visitors were mentioned for a significant purpose. Shepherds came to love and adore him, “The Lamb of God.” Kings journeyed to honour and worship him, “The King of Kings.” The prophecies concerning Messiah focused on his double anointing. We are to know him in these names.
For 300 years after his ascension Christians remembered and celebrated Christ’s death and resurrection. It wasn’t until the first part of the fourth century after his birth that Christian leaders decided to honour his birth with a celebration. December 25th was the date they chose. In keeping with Old Testament Feasts and Festivals it was designated as a “Feast Day” called the Feast of the Nativity. The celebration began with a special mass of honour of the remembrance of his coming. It was called “Christ’s Mass.” Later it became known simply as Christmas. This, in itself is significant to remember. It was Christ that was being celebrated not Christmas. The “method” was the “mass.”
Still later, the four week period before December 25th was declared a sacred and holy season. It was called “Advent”, a Greek word which means “to come.” It was to be a special time, set apart, to spiritually prepare for the coming of Christ. The celebration began on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day. This decision was also in keeping with the Old Testament Festivals which often included a number of days of preparation prior to the Holy Day.
In the heart of Christians everywhere getting ready for his coming has more than one meaning. Not only is this a celebration of a past event that took place two thousand years ago, but, it is a celebration of his coming to us each day and this year in this Holy Season. There is still another thrust to his coming as we remember his promise to come again. True preparation for the coming of Christmas should include all three of these elements: past, present, and future.
The vital principle of Advent is a spirit of prayerful meditation which will be utterly absent around us in the modern commercial displays. Since it is not possible to prohibit the abuses, we must intentionally choose how things will be carried out in our homes, not giving in to the world’s pressure. A desert or wilderness area, in the Bible, generally means an uncultivated place, sometimes dry and barren. Let us remember this description and apply it to our surroundings as we clear a path through the distractions for the Lord to visit us this year and reveal his glory.
Mindful of the significance of the season anticipate Christ’s coming just as you would anticipate the upcoming visit of your best friend.
Preparing while you wait
There are a number of potentially useful ways to observe Advent in your home. Be careful to try those that best suit your situation rather than bog down by trying to do too much.
One of the most helpful principles to employ in your preparation is the proverb, “Put something where you can see it so your eye will remind your heart.” The word “remember” occurs over 300 times in Scripture. “Remember the deeds of the Lord”, “Remember his marvelous works”, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In remembrance of God’s incredible gift of his Son, prepare a Birthday present for Jesus. This activity is simple but very meaningful. On the first Sunday of Advent get out the wrapping paper (plain white tissue is fine) and cover an empty box. Cut a slit in the top. You might want to finish it off with a beautiful gold bow. Place the package in a prominent position in your home. This is the family’s gift for the Christ Child. All during the month drop coins and bills into the box. You might choose to put into the box all of the pennies that you are given in change during the month. You will hardly miss them and will be amazed at how quickly they collect. You might choose to acknowledge God’s blessings by dropping coins into the box as they occur. There are always extra jobs before Christmas and the children can be very helpful. If they earn the money for their contributions they will feel like they participated in giving.
One of the most helpful principles to employ in your preparation is the proverb, “Put something where you can see it so your eye will remind your heart.
Plan a Birthday Party for Jesus to be celebrated either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and make a birthday cake for the celebration. In our home it’s always angel food with a tall white candle placed in the center hole secured with crumpled aluminum foil. Sing “Happy Birthday” to the Saviour adding a second verse.
We love you, we do.
We love you, we do.
We love you, dear Jesus.
We love you, we do.
Open his present, count the contents and decide together where you think Jesus would most like his gift invested. One year our children chose an orphanage in Korea to receive their love gift. They were “into” toys that year, so requested the cheque be used to purchase toys for the Korean children. Imagine the impact when we received a thank you letter that included pictures of the Korean children playing with the toys our children’s nickels and dimes had purchased. We hardly had to mention the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35.
“Christ’s ” special “mass” was first celebrated as the Feast of the Nativity. Most of us have forgotten that Feast Days were always preceded by periods of fasting. Apparently, Jesus expected us to enter into this experience. In Matthew 6:16 he said, “when you fast . .”, not, “if you fast . . .” To make the remembrance of the birth of the Saviour more meaningful this year, try fasting during Advent as you prepare your heart to worship God Christmas morning.
It may seem a bit radical and even paradoxical to suggest fasting at a time when so much of our attention is focussed on food. Nevertheless, this experience has the potential of enhancing your walk with the Lord. There are a variety of ways to experience fasting. Choose a day (or days) and schedule it (or them) on your calendar or in your Day Timer. Since good intentions are never very fulfilling, keep this private appointment with the Lord (Matthew 6:16-18). 1 hesitate to mention that Jesus promises you a reward from the Father. The intention of our hearts should be a response of obedience and gratitude, not for a reward.
If your children are small consider sharing in what I call a Rice Meal. A major portion of the world’s population will only have a small bowl of rice to eat today. You could cook a large pot of rice for your family. You could cook it in a flavoured broth and could serve your children their regular portion of milk. I put $1.00 at each person’s place which they then get to stuff into the Birthday Box for Jesus. It represents the food I didn’t buy for our dinner. In a real sense everyone participates in the giving. This is a wonderful way to begin to teach your children to be concerned about the needs of others. It provides a positive opportunity to impress upon their hearts the biblical concept that we are blessed to be a blessing. “I will bless thee … and thou shalt be a blessing”, Genesis 12:2.
We have so much .. .
There are so many needy people in our world . . .
It would be hard to justify not fasting!
There is much more to fasting than simply not eating!
Expect God …
Wait for his coming. ..
Prepare in prayer while you wait . . .
First Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
This idea is probably not new to you. Most of us at one time have marked off days on a calendar as we eagerly awaited a significant event. Children love to participate in this kind of activity. Young children have special difficulty understanding time. A simple paper chain is an ideal teaching aid. Using 1/2 inch wide strips of construction paper that are about 8 inches long, staple (I like this best), or glue enough links for all of the days in Advent. This year you will need 27. You might want to use green strips to represent week days and purple strips to represent Sundays. Purple is the liturgical colour for Advent. Purple dye was difficult to obtain in biblical times and was therefore expensive and highly valued. It became known as the colour of kings. What a wonderful opportunity to impress upon your children the attention and respect he deserves. The King is coming! Green always reminds us of growth and the continuation of life. Let this colour remind us of God’s promise of everlasting life in Jesus. Seeing the purple rings will make the division of the weeks more obvious. The top link might be white to represent Christmas Day and Christ’s birth. White reminds us of the purity of our Lord.
Each day take one link out of your chain explaining that there are as many days until Christmas as there are rings in the chain. In keeping with the words of Paul to the Colossians, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you …” Colossians 1:3, place the name of a person or group you want to remember in prayer on each strip. Uniting in prayer for school teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors, family and friends will nurture and encourage the practice of daily prayer.
Christmas in North America has been so wrapped with tradition that we are in danger of missing the message and its meaning. This Advent season prepare a path through the rooms of your home for the glory of the Lord to be revealed. Don’t be surprised when you arrive at Christmas morning with the discovery that one day isn’t nearly enough time to celebrate the joy! We applaud the wisdom of the early Church leaders who declared Christmas to be a 12 day celebration.
Christmas is only the beginning! If the message of the festival has touched us we will become a means by which his light will shine for all men to see. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world … a lamp … on the lampstand gives light to all who are in the house” Matthew 5:14,15.
Put something where you can see it so your eye will remind your heart …