Well personally I'd like the Army to bring our bands back into the streets singing songs specifically about Jesus. Not saying stuff like Amazing Grace isn't good, but we want to be obvious about it. It's annoying cause I have to celebrate Christmas with my family, when I want to share it with my "family".
I think it's important because there is a generation being raised that will believe in Santa, but knows nothing about Jesus
I agree with you. Is there any way you could meet up with some of your friends from church in the evening? I believe family is very important (blood family as well as church family) and I love spending time with family.
However the last 2 years we have put our foots down as family and said we will spend the day by ourselves (nuclear family) and spend Christmas eve and Boxing day attending other family functions. It just gives us time to relax as well as spending time with the people we love. I am sure you will be able to find some church friends who will be happy to meet up with you either Boxing day or Christmas eve or even in the evening. I know MIL invites a whole heap of people over to her house (not necessarily family) just people who are at a loose end on Christmas she does this in the evening.
I know exactly what you mean. Each Christmas Day we leave church reluctantly, because we would rather spend the day with our Christian friends rather than non-christian family.
Unfortunately, I have noticed at many churches such 'lingering' seems to be discouraged on Christmas Day. Come for the service but then get home early so you can get to the 'real' party
Yeah I hear you. Our church doesn't even have a Christmas day service. I think they do Christmas eve. We just do a prayer etc. at home now.
I agree with something that someone else wrote about doing Christmas the way you want to.
I refuse to bow to the prssure put out there by the shopping centres to buy up big and buy things we can't afford and don't need.
My kids will get one present each (biggish one, ds is getting a magnetix set, and dd is getting a small toy kitchen) then they will get a few "extras" such as dvds, books etc. whatever we can afford and they might need. I have noticed their Christian dvd selection is a bit small, so I might get them a dvd or 2.
Also I encourage ds in particular to think of others this time of year, we always donate to the different appeals they have such as the ones out there for donating tinned foods etc. There's one at the school as well, so we bring a tin a week to that one. I think it teaches them generosity.
Also with relatives we will give one present each. I am trying to make it things they need but will still enjoy. Such as MIL I made her a poncho and I hope she will enjoy it. Also with my neice and nephew they will be getting some clothes I made for them, and 1 - 2 fun things, such as a book and a small toy.
I am blessed in that the in-laws are strong Christians too, and understand where I am coming from. Also my family get the real meaning of Christmas and also don't mind if we don't go overboard on spending on them. I have bought a few things my family will enjoy and appreciate but I think most people I know are "over" Christmas and what society has done to it. Even the people who aren't Christians are starting to feel this way.