Holidays are more than Fun!

Cookies baking, laughter in the air, and a sense of expectation in every heart. Holidays are more than national celebrations! These special days can provide refreshment, strengthen family relationships, instill godly values in our children, and be celebrations of the goodness of God!

Holidays Can Provide Refreshment!

Aa_7 We are all thankful to be alive and have the strength to serve the Lord. Many of us, though, have stressful lives and burdens that we carry. We may have a difficult marriage, an eldery relative to care for, or a house full of little ones that demand our constant attention. A holiday is a break from the routine! If we are careful not to run ourselves ragged in the pursuit of the "Ideal Holiday Menu," each holiday can be a time of refreshment where we break away from the dreary routine and enjoy the company of family and friends. View holidays as a time to RELAX and unwind from the pressures of life.

"Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:18

When non-Christians repent and believe in Jesus, their sins are forgiven and times of refreshing come from the Lord. When we are weary, we may need to may changes in our lives and habits so that times of refreshing may come, once again, into our lives. Sometimes our motives at holiday celebrations need adjustment from the Lord. We may be trying to impress rather than serve. Or we may be trying to please others rather than living to please God. Relax the expectations you have for yourself to be the "perfect hostess" or "perfect mother."

Holidays Can Strengthen Family Relationships

Gather the family together for holidays and do the things you never have time to do in your family's busy life. Play a game together. Hold hands and pray for one another. Write a family newsletter about the holiday to send as a greeting to friends and relatives. Tell each other what you appreciate about one another. Show affection and be silly together--laughter helps to cement relationships. Make special holiday treats and meals together. Come up with new ideas to celebrate together! Talk about your favorite holiday memories and make new ones!

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Psalm 133:1

Family unity is pleasing to God! What pleasure it gives our Heavenly Father to gaze upon our immediate and extended families enjoying one another and showing affection to one another. It also blesses those participing in family unity in every way: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Unity is a great thing and holidays can help to foster this unity.

Holidays Can Instill Godly Values

We celebrate Christmas because Jesus gave the gift of His Son to a world that had rejected Him. This value of GIVING can be instilled in our children when we give presents to the people we love and especially when we give presents to the poor and needy. We instill the value of thankfulness when we share things we are thankful for before saying grace during Thanksgiving dinner. We can also have a family "Praise and Prayer" time where we thank God for all His wonderful blessings.

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Dueteronomy 4:9

As we look carefully at how we celebrate holidays, we can evaluate. Are we instilling godly values in our children with our celebrations or our we just doing what the world does? The world makes holidays self-centered and all about spending money. Advertizers get ahold of holidays and turn them into an opportunity to make money. Satan works behind the scenes to commercialize even the most holy of celebrations. The most powerful miracle of all times, the RESURRECTION of JESUS, is celebrated with a visit from the Easter Bunny! Yikes! I love little bunnies, Easter eggs, and pretty Easter hats, but I relate them to the miracle that we celebrate! It doesn't take a lot of time to instill values, just proactive planning on our part.

Grandparents and spirtual "aunts and uncles" can all instill godly values in the next generation during holiday celebrations. What a wonderful time to remember God and all of His wonderful ways! For ideas on instilling values during the holidays and finding fun ways to celebrate, see my website: http://joyfulandsuccessfulhomeschooling.com/traditions.aspx

Holidays are TImes to Celebrate God's Goodness!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not changes like shifting shadows." James 1:17

God wants us to enjoy all the good things He has created. He gives us good and perfect gifts that we can rejoice about and enjoy with our families. Because of Chrsitmas, a Savior was born. That Savior, born as a baby, is the reason that we have been saved from sin and experience new life in Christ. Because of Easter's Resurrection Miracle, we are made alive in Christ and look forward to Heaven. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks to our wonderful Heavenly Father. Valentines Day is a great time to celebrate God's gift of love and marriage. Or we can celebrate the pure love that the real St. Valentine had for his Precious Savior, as he was willingly martyred.

Birthdays are a great time to honor each other. We can show appreciation and pray over one another for the coming year. God has truly blessed us in so many ways. The next time a holiday rolls around, take time to celebrate His Goodness, as well as all of His amazing gifts!

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Holidays are all about spending time with family, relaxing and not thinking about work. It is a time to rejoyce, relax together and spend quality time together

Posted by: diane | August 03, 2008 at 09:16 AM