Keeping Christ at the Center of Christmas

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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.”

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 2:4-14 (NIV)

I pray your heart will overflow with the Good News of Christ that brings great joy, and may we always keep Christ at the center of Christmas!

One way I strive to keep the focus on Jesus is by making a special Jesus birthday cake every year. Different family members read each of the following cake elements:

Round – The cake is round to represent Christ’s love, which surrounds me, and the world. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Chocolate – It is chocolate to represent the sins of the world. Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Genesis 6:5 – The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

White icing – The icing is white to show Jesus’ purity, covering our sins and making them as white as snow. 1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Psalm 51:7 – Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

Angel & yellow star – Represents the first bearers of the Good News. Luke 2:10-11 – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Matthew 2:9-10 – After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Evergreen – Represents everlasting life. John 3:36 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.

Twelve candy canes – The red in the candy canes represent Jesus’ blood covering us all the time, twelve months of the year. Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Matthew 28:20 – And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Light a candle – This shows that Jesus is the light of the world. John 8:12 – I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

If you want to watch a video of our family reading the Jesus cake scriptures and special elements, you can FIND IT HERE.

Join the conversation. How do you keep Christ at the center of Christmas? Do you attend a Christmas Eve church service? Do you spend the holiday with family? Do you have any special traditions? I’d love to hear from you!

Have a very merry and blessed Christmas! Be sure to look for an end-of-the-year giveaway on my blog next week!