{"id":240331,"date":"2024-12-03T11:22:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/?p=240331"},"modified":"2024-12-03T11:22:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:22:24","slug":"overcoming-barriers-to-spiritual-impact-this-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/fr\/overcoming-barriers-to-spiritual-impact-this-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming Barriers to Spiritual Impact This Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Larry Fowler, Founder and CEO<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denise dreaded Christmas. What used to be a joy-filled holiday was now a date she wished wasn\u2019t even on the calendar. Family relationships weren\u2019t the same after her husband Tim left. Just two years later, their daughter\u2019s marriage ended in divorce. Accusations were made. Wounds were deep. The rift between mother and daughter was wide, and the air was thick with tension whenever they were together. Denise wanted her precious grandkids to know about God, but she felt powerless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas had become sour because of broken and toxic family relationships.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominique and Crystal made a big deal about Christmas. Still, the focus was on Santa, elf movies, decorations, and lots of expensive gifts, especially from the other grandparents who were more financially able to be extravagant. Dom\u2019s parents, Will and Nina, were frustrated grandparents. Nothing in their grandchildren\u2019s Christmas focused on Jesus. Whenever it was mentioned, Crystal would flippantly say, \u201cYou know, we just want Christmas to be fun for our kids (implying that including Jesus would be boring).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas had become secularized by materialistic values.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonse and Maria enjoyed close relationships with their three daughters and spouses. All were believers and made a genuine effort to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. They had always read the Christmas story together before opening gifts. Maria noticed their older grandkids were tuning out the familiar scriptures. They needed some freshness in how they reminded the grandchildren of Jesus\u2019 birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas had become stale due to a lack of creativity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family Dynamics Impact Christmas Celebrations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If one of those scenarios sounds a bit too familiar, you may think \u201cWhy do I even bother?\u201d<\/em> Let me offer two powerful reasons and urge you NOT to give up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, you have so much potential for influence!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re in an ideal position to spiritually impact your grandchildren, Grandma or Grandpa. You are second only to parents in potential influence. No Sunday School teacher, youth worker, or pastor has the potential you have. You have their heart. You have a childhood-long relationship. You know and love them, and they know and love you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, Scripture commands it!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV) is so clear; \u201c\u2026teach them to your children and to their children after them.\u201d<\/em> According to this verse, we are to teach two generations, not just one. We teach by telling our faith stories and sharing what we have seen Him do. As the spiritual matriarch or patriarch of your family, it is your responsibility to do all you can to pass on your faith. Your choice is not whether or not to do it, but how to do it. Let\u2019s explore the \u201chows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Relationships Are Sour\u2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Is your family like Denise\u2019s with tension, hurt feelings, or outright animosity dominating the atmosphere whenever you\u2019re together? You\u2019re the most mature one in the family (or should be) so take responsibility for restoring peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some things you can do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Ask for forgiveness. That\u2019s the first thing to consider in reconciliation. If you think you don\u2019t need to, look at the relationship through the eyes of others \u2013 what would they say?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Make sure you see the broken relationship<\/em>, not the other person<\/em>, as the enemy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A quick resolution is often unrealistic. Even if change doesn\u2019t happen this Christmas, dream of a better relationship in the future, and make this holiday season a step to reach that goal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Show grace. It\u2019s fascinating that Jesus, the complete embodiment of both grace and truth (John 1:14) often led with grace. If you\u2019ve tried to get them to see things your way (that\u2019s leading with truth) and it\u2019s not working, then change to a \u201cJesus strategy\u201d and lead with grace. Try to genuinely understand their point of view (that\u2019s grace). Forgive. Love unconditionally.\u00a0When we show unconditional love and grace, the Holy Spirit uses these almost irresistible tools to impact the thinking of others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If you are to have hope of impacting your grandchildren for Christ, the chain of soured relationships must be broken. Be the best servant in the room. Determine that \u2013 this Christmas \u2013 you will do your best to be the chain-breaker!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When It\u2019s All About the Stuff\u2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    When Christ is left out of Christmas, either by the parents\u2019 decision or over-indulgent gift-giving, the real meaning of Christmas is lost somewhere in the stuff. What can you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t go against the parents\u2019 wishes \u2013 after all, they are first<\/em> responsible for the children, not you. Crystal\u2019s comment to Nina, \u201cYou know, we just want Christmas to be fun for our kids\u201d was telling. But it also gave Nina an idea of how to honor Dom and Crystal\u2019s wishes and still bring Jesus\u2019 birth into their Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • When our grandkids were small, we often had them act out the Christmas story. We designated one end of the living room as Nazareth, and the other as Bethlehem. The wise men weren\u2019t allowed on the scene, of course, until after the \u201cbirth\u201d of Baby Jesus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • My friends Tina and Ray \u201ckidnap\u201d their grandkids to go view Christmas lights. They talk with the kids about why people may have chosen to have holiday inflatables, lots of lights, etc. Plan a similar outing with your grandkids, and be sure to go by a house with a manger scene which gives you a perfect chance to share with them the Biblical story of Jesus\u2019 birth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Host a birthday party for Jesus. Your grandkids can help bake and decorate the cake if they\u2019re old enough, then everyone can enjoy eating it. Don\u2019t forget to sing \u2018Happy Birthday\u2019 to Jesus. Tell or read the story of Jesus\u2019 birth. My friend Elaine does this at what she calls \u201cAdvent Angels\u201d \u2013 an annual, pre-Christmas event packed full of faith-based crafts, movies, snacks, and fun for her grandkids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Together, practice the act of giving. Take cookies to a shut-in neighbor or your local police department. Deliver canned goods to the food bank or some warm socks and gloves to a shelter. By giving, you\u2019re sharing a valuable perspective and also the joy that comes from doing so.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Research and implement Jesus-focused Christmas traditions from other countries, especially your family\u2019s country of origin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      When Christmas Becomes Stale\u2026<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      As your grandchildren become teens, it\u2019s challenging to keep Christmas spiritually fresh, especially if they\u2019ve heard Luke 2 so many times it\u2019s memorized. Rituals become rote, and routine becomes boring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here are a few new ideas to try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Make gifts more experiential. Instead of things, give experiences, like tickets for you and your grandkids to attend a sporting event or concert. Registration for a church youth group event. Family memberships to a zoo. Coupons for a \u201cgrand date\u201d for you and your grandchild.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make gifts more personal. My friend John customized a study Bible with his own notes for each of his grandkids. Do that for your grandkids on a milestone Christmas \u2013 maybe their 13th<\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make gifts more useful. Try a \u201cfour-gift Christmas,\u201d where you give each grandchild exactly four gifts: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This helps grandkids focus when putting together a wish list and it\u2019s an idea that is easily adapted whether you have limited funds or more than enough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make conversations more meaningful. One of our very best Christmases was when \u2013 after the presents were opened \u2013 we each shared the most meaningful thing that had happened to us in the past year. After lots of laughter, tears, high fives, and hugs, we agreed it was one of the best Christmases ever.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make the atmosphere more spiritual. Before you gather, ask each family member\u2019s favorite Christmas carol, and make a playlist of family favorites for background music during the day. At an appropriate time, ask each one to share why they like that carol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make Christmas more memorable. Get out the special plates; dress up; just do things differently than you normally do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Write one verse of the Christmas story on each of the gift tags of the presents for your grandchildren, and then tell them they have to find them and read them before opening their presents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Make the approach different. Your older grandkids need to be able to answer the \u201cwhy\u201d questions of faith. So instead of reading the Christmas story, read passages and create activities that emphasize the reasons behind the birth of Jesus.\u00a0Here are three ideas:\n
          \n
        • Read prophetic passages like 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6, Micah 5:2, and others; then read their \u201cfulfillment counterpart\u201d and emphasize how knowing fulfilled prophecies substantiates your faith.\u00a0Or, write each set of corresponding passages and wrap them in coordinated packages to be opened.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Write out John 1:14, Galatians 4:4-5, Philippians 2:6-8, and other passages that point out the theological implications of Jesus\u2019 birth on decorative paper, roll them up as scrolls, and hang them on the Christmas tree. Use them for your \u201creading of the Christmas story.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Create some \u201cgifts to the world\u201d packages, and in them put a statement or symbol of how the birth of Jesus impacted human history.\u00a0For example, on the gift tag, write \u201cTo: Women\u00a0 From: Jesus.\u201d\u00a0Inside, put a card with Galatians 3:28 on it, and \u201cEquality\u201d, with your own statement about how Jesus impacted the status of women.\u00a0On another, write \u201cTo: Sick From: Jesus.\u201d\u00a0On the card inside write \u201cMedical Care\u201d and Matthew 25:37-40.\u00a0You can also do this for education, arts, charities, business, government, family, etc.\u00a0Or, you can do the same with concepts that originated with Jesus, like grace, forgiveness, love, or hope.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          Family dynamics impact our lives, and the holidays tend to heighten the good, as well as the not-so-good, in each of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          You may be struggling with broken relationships this Christmas like Denise. Life as it was is no longer the reality, and it\u2019s been tough. Don\u2019t give up, but give grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Your grandkids may have come to expect extravagant gifts, so \u2013 like Will and Nina \u2013 you may need to discover some new (and fun) ways to share the real meaning of Christmas with your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Or maybe your Christmases have become stale. Replace what\u2019s ritualistic with fresh, creative ideas while retaining the truth that Jesus is the reason for the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Remember, as grandparents, we are perfectly poised to make a difference in our grandchildren\u2019s lives.<\/strong> It\u2019s what we\u2019re called to do, no matter our family dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          So make a spiritual impact this Christmas. It may require prayer, creativity, communication with your adult kids, and effort. But it is possible, and believe me\u2014it will be well worth your effort!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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