Set Up the Activity Scene

Long lines. Exhaustion. Overstimulated children. Heavy traffic. Extensive to-do lists. Extended credit. It must be Christmas.

I readily admit I’m not always good at handling the Christmas rush and promoting the true meaning of Christmas. When my daughter, Hannah, was very young, I found a plastic Christmas nativity set just for her. I thought it might be nice if the neighbors did not have to hear me yelling during the holy season, “Hannah, don’t touch Baby Jesus! He’s fragile.”

Why do we let the hustle and bustle of this time of year consume our lives and rob our joy? We abdicate our sacred season in favor of a commercialized holiday that does not reflect the Savior whose birth we are celebrating.

One little girl got it just right when it came to Christmas. She asked her parents, “When are we going to set up the activity scene?” She meant, of course, the nativity scene.

The nativity should be the activity scene for Christmas. Christ is the true joy of Christmas. I know that in my head and in my heart. It’s just that often other things get in the way.

This year, commit to set up the activity scene literally and figuratively. Discuss what gift you can give to the Savior individually and as a family. Challenge family members to think creatively. Maybe your gift will be expressing gratitude daily or committing to pray with more depth and feeling. Do you want to make a positive change in your life? That is a gift you can offer. As a family, think about whom you can serve. Adopt a family whose children may go without presents. Allow your children or grandchildren to select and wrap the gifts. Invite those who have no place to go to your home on Christmas Day. Instead of baking cookies for Santa, deliver food to those in need.

You will find true joy as you give and serve. Be generous. Especially on Christmas Day, strive to make the nativity the center of activity. You can pare down the shopping list. You can limit the number of social gatherings. You can refuse to indulge in the excesses of the holiday. Just don’t forget to set up the activity scene.

Father,

May we make proclaiming the Messiah, who came to be with us, the center of all we do this Christmas season.

In Jesus’ name, amen.