The greatest reason....no THE reason for Christmas is Christ! Sometimes with all the hustle bustle, shopping, gifts, plays, traveling and what not that people go through during the holiday season distracts us from why we are even celebrating. Within the very holiday name is the the title of Christ. We would do well to make sure HE is the focus for this season. A little tradition my mother started and one I have strived to carry on is that of a Lighting Ceremony.
So my FIRST day of Christmas gift to you is teaching you about what a Lighting Ceremony is. We go into the scriptures and read from Luke 2 the account of Christs birth. And as we do so we intermingle singing hymns and turning on lights. The great meaning behind this holiday tradition to me is being reminded of the Light of Christmas. We see lights on homes and trees, we decorate with candles and stars, we involve a great deal of lights in Christmas decor. The greatest light is Christ and all the lights of the season should help us focus on His light.
We invite a few families each year to share in this tradition and it is always so special. As we sit in darkness at the beginning and then slowly turn on different lights in the house I get filled with Joy that we are blessed with light. Oh how awful it would be to live in a world with no light. I am so thankful the Savior was born and provided us with hopeful light in our lives.
Here is a rough layout of what a Lighting Ceremony might look like, but of course you can use your own songs, your own images to light up and your own scriptures to!
Open with a happy triumphant song:
"Jingle bells jingle bells", ring some jolly jingle bells!!
Read Luke 2:1-5, light up a village or town scene you might have! I have a little ceramic village I got at the $Dollar store that I turn a light on.
"Oh little Town of Bethlehem"
Read Luke 2:6-7: A nativity scene or painting of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
"Away in a manger"Read Luke 2: 8-16: The tree with an angel or star on top. This one can include all sorts of images to light up; sheep, a shepards staff, Angels...
"Silent night"
