Keep Christ in CHRISTmas

The general public seems to be more and more "allergic" to the idea that Christmas just might have something to do with Christ. The word "Christmas" comes from the Old English Cristes Maesse which literally means "the Mass of Christ" and it refers to the celebration of Mass on the birthday of Our Lord. One of the earliest celebrations of Christmas was around the year 200 AD in Egypt.  

Here are some of my suggestions to keep Christ in Christmas:

1. When someone says, "Happy Holidays," just politely respond, "And Merry Christmas to you too!"
2. Put an Advent wreath in your home and light the candles for each week as we get closer to Christmas.
3. With your family, read together the Infancy narratives found in the Gospels (Luke 2: 1-20; Matthew 1: 18 - 2: 12)
4. With your children, repeat over and over "Jesus is the reason for the season." Don't let them forget it!
5. Join a group to go Christmas caroling in a nursing home or hospital. Be sure to sing some religious carols. 
6. When buying stamps for your Christmas cards, avoid the snowman and reindeer and buy the religious stamp (By the way, I love Rudolph but Jesus is the reason for the season). 
7. Send Christmas cards that actually feature a religious theme like a picture of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the stable or the 3 Magi on their way to Bethlehem. 
8. Among your Christmas decorations, put the creche in a prominent place, including outside your home if possible. 
9. Do not be afraid to put a religious ornament on your Christmas tree. Remember, the star on top is already a religious ornament. 
10. Charitably insist on singing religious Christmas carols at office parties or other events. Some ideas would be: "Did you hear what I hear?", "It came upon a midnight clear", and "Away in the manger." 
11. Bake a Jesus birthday cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus with your children. 
12. Purchase a "Keep Christmas in Christmas" magnet for the back of your car.
13. Have your children participate in the "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest organized by the Knights of Columbus. Details are at: http://www.kofc.org/un/en/service/church/christmas/index.html
14. Gift wrap the baby Jesus of your nativity set and let this be your first unwrapped gift on Christmas morning. 
15. If adult children, relatives or friends are coming for Christmas and staying at your house, make attending Christmas Mass with you a requirement for staying at your house.