How do you get your heart and mind set on Jesus in the Christmas season?

I usually do an Advent study through the Holy Bible app. This year I decided to actually open up a book that I received last Christmas. Thank you to my dear friend, Ashlee!

"Unwrapping the Names of Jesus" by Asheritah Ciuciu is a different type of Advent devotional. Ciuciu starts off by explaining her own upbringing and how Advent wasn't a part of her Christmas preparation as a child. She studied more about it as an adult- understanding that many in the early church took part in Advent. From there, she became fascinated with Advent and has forever continued to take part in this beautiful preparation for the birth of our Lord.  

For myself, this past year has been a year of growth and study of the early church. I deeply appreciate following along with traditions that my brothers and sisters in Christ have taken part in over the centuries. I see the importance of traditions when they truly point us back to God the Father, and Advent preparation does just that.

In "Unwrapping the Names of Jesus", Ciuciu breaks down each week leading up to Christmas by focusing on "Hope", "Preparation", "Joy", and "Love". I appreciate that she incorporates specific Bible verses, questions, and songs that invite the individual or the whole family to take part in advent.

This morning, I was excited to start! I intentionally set my alarm to wake up early, broke out my journal, and opened up my Bible. As my kids woke up and came to the table for breakfast, I decided to include them in some of the Advent discussion questions and songs. We lit the first candle of advent together.

I guarantee our devotional mornings won't go perfectly for the full month of December (especially with school rush preparations), but I want my children to understand the importance of setting aside time with the Lord- preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of King Jesus. Some days that may be a prayer in the car on the way to school, but I'm hopeful this resource will aid us in our Christmas preparation.

Jesus came for us all, now it's time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of the King!

What do you do this month to prepare your heart and celebrate Christmas? Do you have any specific traditions that point back to Jesus? I'm curious to know, so please share!