2020 has looked much different than any of us expected and Christmas will be a big reminder of how the year has changed. Many of us will be celebrating Christmas long-distance or socially-distanced and many will struggle with isolation and loneliness. The holidays can be tough for those who are experiencing seasons of loss, but we must remember that this is a season of HOPE. Christmas Day represents the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His birth, we are reminded of God’s steadfast love that endures in every circumstance. Whether you are celebrating with family or friends, in person or over Zoom, or even in different time zones from loved ones, we hope that you will check out some of these ideas for celebrating Christmas from afar.
1. Share an Advent Calendar with Friends & Family
Last year, Trevor created an online advent calendar that we did together with our families starting December 1st through Christmas Day! Each day, we did an Advent devotional from the Bible App and he set up many different activities. Some that made us nostalgic for our childhood, like making gingerbread houses and cutting out paper snowflakes, and some activities that remind us to serve one another out of our abundance. Each day started with us clicking on a numbered “door” and we were required to complete the activity by the end of the day.
While many think that advent calendars are for children, it was actually a really fun way for us to keep in touch with our families during the holidays and gave us something to look forward to discussing with them while we were living abroad.
Check out our 2020 Advent Calendar or create your own! Also, check out the Giving Manger for families.
2. fill on fellowship
We can cultivate fellowship in a few ways- through our local church community and through opening our homes- and now, in the midst of a pandemic, people need fellowship to carry each others burdens.
As Christians, we are called to participate in the body of believers and build fellowship through our local church community. The Christmas season is a time when many visitors and first-time guests will attend various churches and we should be ready to invite them in to show them the true meaning of Christmas and the promised hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We can also show hospitality to others by opening our homes.
In our very first Thanksgiving as a married couple, we were unable to travel home, so we instead opened our home to our neighbor, that we had only had two encounters with up to that point, and our guests that were staying in our AirBnB. We knew that they needed community as well and it provided us an opportunity to serve and love them. Having just one friend or family member over is not only a way to connect through times of loneliness, but also allows us to practice Gospel-centered hospitality. Opening up our homes allows us to plant a seed that God may grow.
For more tips on hospitality, check out our Delighting in Hospitality post.
3. Serve
Going along with fellowship and hospitality, service is one that can truly make an impact this holiday season. While many people are suffering from illness, isolation, and loss of loved ones, we know that we have a greater hope than this world. Our hope comes from Above and we can rely on Him in these times of need in 2020. God has given us sufficient resources and spiritual gifts to be able to love and serve others. Service can be as simple as a random act of kindness or volunteering somewhere for an hour, and it doesn’t have to involve money. Our advent calendar includes a few surprise service opportunities as well! When we serve, we are reminded of the abundance of God’s provisions in our own lives and it allows us to connect with our local communities. The local church has great resources for service opportunities.
We pray that Christ’s Hope will be revealed to many this holiday season and that no matter where we are and what our life circumstances are in this Christmas of 2020, we can be reminded that our Hope is greater than this world and has overcome the world. Merry Christmas and many blessings!
