Your Guide to a Meaningful and God-Centered Holiday

W e are very excited to celebrate the holidays with you. God put it on our hearts to have “A Peace-Filled Christmas” this year, so

we put together this little guide of scriptures and challenges for you and your family. It’s full of things you and your family can do during the twelve days leading up to Christmas to help make the holidays more memorable, more meaningful, and to keep them centered on God.

We’re also planning a wonderful time of refreshment and peace at Faith Life Church this Christmas beginning with our special Christmas Eve family services at 6:00pm and 8:00pm. We’ll celebrate with music, a kid’s drama, and the true meaning of Christmas. We’ll also have just one service on Christmas Day at 10:00am to give people more time with their families.

Be sure to invite your friends and your family to share in these special Christmas services.

We look forward to spending a peace-filled Christmas with you!

Pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee

Day One, December 14

RestPsalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted

among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

K ick off the Twelve Days to Christmas and set the tone for your

holidays by resting. Challenge yourself and each person in your

family to rest for at least 30 minutes alone and in a quiet place. Close

your eyes and let the stress go. Throw off your cares and rest in the arms

of Jesus. It takes a conscious effort to be still and know that He is God,

but after all, that’s who Christmas is all about.

Day Two, December 15

Serve Matthew 23:11-12

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who

exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble

themselves will be exalted.

W ho in your life needs help? Is it a new mom who needs a meal?

A friend who needs some cleaning help? Someone who could use

a phone call of encouragement? Have each person in your family help

with serving this person in need. Or, have each person in your family

serve each other by trading responsibilities for awhile. Have the kids

clean each other’s rooms. Serve your spouse by taking time to help them

with a task they have to do.

Day Three, December 16

PrayMatthew 21:22

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

G ather as a family and put on some quiet worship music. Take a

few minutes and ask each person what prayer requests they have

today. Write them down in a notebook. Then, assign each person to pray

over certain requests. Praying together is so powerful that the enemy

tries to keep us from ever taking that time. This Christmas, take the time

to get the family on the same page spiritually.

Day Four, December 17

FamilyJoshua 24:15

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

I n our fast-paced society, everyone is constantly connected to a

steady stream of voices. Challenge yourself and your family to

unplug today (or on a day when everyone is off from work and school).

Have everyone in your family disconnect from TV, social media,

computers, and anything else that is a distraction from being together.

Take this time to actually listen to one another. Play board games. Talk.

Relax. Go sledding. Look at pictures. Put on a family talent show. Most

of all, listen to what is going on in each other’s lives. And, take the

opportunity to listen to God.

Day F ive, December 18

FeastEsther 9:17

… they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

H ave each family member make (or buy) their favorite food for a

fun “feast of favorites” together. Take this time to sit down at the

dinner table—with the TV and cell phones OFF—and celebrate the joys

of togetherness. If you don’t have family near, invite some friends over

for a feast of friendship.

Day Six, December 19

GiveLuke 6:38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

H ave each person in the family set aside some things that they can

give to someone in need. Gather together like-new toys, clothing,

and household items that could really brighten someone else’s holiday

this year, and donate them to a shelter, inner city outreach, or family you

know who may be in need. Not only will this clear out space for new

presents this year, but it will teach your children what Christmas really

means—how God gave His Son to us, so that we can give to others.

Next, as a family, decide on a special Christmas offering that you can

bring to God as thanks for what He has given you. Sow this offering on

Christmas weekend for what you are believing to see happen in your life

in 2012.

Day Seven, December 20

LoveJohn 13:34

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the

same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how

everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they

see the love you have for each other.

C hallenge yourself and your family to shut out ALL negative words

of strife, cut-down remarks, and gossip today. If someone violates

the challenge, they must put a dollar in a jar. Whoever didn’t have to pay

anything all day gets what is in the jar at the end of the day. If you’re

married, try to take time out to go on a lunch or dinner date together. For a

fun challenge during the date, try to share at least twenty things you love

about each other. If you’re not married, take time to love on a friend by

getting them an unexpected gift thanking them for their friendship.

Love is only real when it is expressed through action.

Day Eight, December 21

RejoicePhilippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let

your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be

anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and

petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And

the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will

guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

T here are many things we can do each day to increase our

happiness and lift our spirit. Today, choose one or two of the

following activities to increase your happiness:

1) Bundle up and take a brisk walk with someone you love.

2) Take 30 minutes and find as many scriptures as you can about joy.

Write them down and say them out loud.

3) Throw away clutter in an area you’ve been meaning to clear out. Ask yourself

if whatever you come across is making your life happier. If not, donate it.

4) Write letters to four people with whom you’ve been meaning to catch up.

5) Allow yourself 30 minutes to do whatever you want to do. Read a book. Eat

a Christmas cookie. Play your favorite sport. Celebrate the things that make

you unique!

Day Ten, December 23

RememberNehemiah 4:14

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for

your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and

your homes.

S it down with your family for 30 minutes and remember all of

the good times and the funny memories of Christmases past. Ask

your kids to share what their favorite Christmas has been so far and why.

Spend time together remembering all that God has done.

Day Nine, December 22

LaughProverbs 15:13 MSG

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart

makes it hard to get through the day.

G rab some snacks and some DVDs of your favorite Christian

comedian or funny old movies, and gather around and laugh

together. Share your funniest or most embarrassing moments, take

silly pictures, or play a funny game like charades.

Day Twelve, December 25

CelebrateIsaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the

government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

M erry Christmas! Celebrate the birth of our Savior! Take time

to celebrate the special traditions you have with your family.

Read the Christmas story together. Enjoy the things that money can’t

buy: love, laughter, happiness, togetherness, family, friendship…

And join us at 10am for a special, combined

Christmas service at Faith Life Church

(which will be different from our

Christmas Eve services), and

help us wish Jesus a

Happy Birthday!

Day Eleven, December 24

WorshipEphesians 1:18-19

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order

that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the

riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his

incomparably great power for us who believe.

P ull out a piece of paper and get everyone to help make a list of

things you are thankful for. Be sure the list includes non-material

items, such as health, happiness, etc. Take a moment to thank God for all

of these things. Post this piece of paper on the refrigerator so everyone can

see it all day long.

Then, join us at Faith Life Church for a wonderful Christmas Eve

service filled with music, laughter, candlelight, communion, and the true

meaning of Christmas! Take time with your family to come express your

gratefulness to God for all He has done and for who He is. We’ll see you

at 6pm or 8pm for “A Peace-Filled Christmas” Celebration.

Come experience the good life.

faithlifechurch.org740.964.7400