As the first week of Advent begins, decide to enjoy the season with Christian mindfulness. I always take a Christmas Pledge.
I wrote this down decades ago, and I can’t find the source online. It has served me well.
The Christmas Pledge
- To remember those people who truly need my gifts.
- To express my love for family and friends in more direct ways that presents.
- To re-dedicate myself to the spiritual growth of my family.
- To examine my holiday activities in light of the true spirit of Christmas.
- To initiate one act of peacemaking within my circle of family and friends.
You can fulfill the pledge in many ways:
- Give a Christmas present from your family to World Vision or another charity. You can have the youngest children pick out what the gift can be. We gave chickens last year.
- Prepare a blessing bag with a Christmas card or other Christmas twist to give to the homeless you see. To learn more about blessing bags, click here.
- Give a warm handwritten note to those you love most.
- Introduce Advent activities into your Christmas calendar.
- Go through your list of “must do” events to see if they reflect your values.
- Reach out to family members and neighbors who voted differently than you did.
Advent can be the quiet holiday you crave. You have to view it through the lens of Christian mindfulness, or you will be swept along with the secular tide. A holy Advent season will lead to a happier new year.