UBCNews - Business - Faith Over Festivity: A Christian Guide to Christmas with Purpose

Episode Date: January 8, 2026

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that I think a lot of us struggle with every year - how do we celebrate Christmas in a way that actually honors Christ instead of, you know, just getting swept up in all the shopping and the chaos? Ink Marks the Spot LLC dba ChristShare City: Faribault Address: 2040 Hiersche Road Website: https://www.christshare.com

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling something that I think a lot of us struggle with every year. How do we celebrate Christmas in a way that actually honors Christ instead of, you know, just getting swept up in all the shopping and the chaos? Right, and that's such a critical question, because the numbers really tell the story. Global holiday spending is projected to reach approximately $1.19 trillion annually, with American consumers spending around $277 billion during the the holidays. That's a massive shift away from what Christmas is supposed to be about. That's staggering. So let's start at the beginning. What is Christmas really celebrating from a theological standpoint? Fundamentally, Christmas celebrates the incarnation of Jesus Christ. That's the belief that God became human flesh. John's Gospel puts it beautifully,

the Word became flesh and lived among us. This wasn't just a miraculous birth in Bethlehem. It was God's deliberate, loving act to enter into human experience so he could bring salvation and redemption to all of us. And that's worlds apart from what we see in stores and advertisements, isn't it? Exactly. The contrast between the manger and the marketplace reveals everything. In Bethlehem, there was no room at the inn, nowhere for Jesus to be born except a humble stable.

Today, the marketplace dominates Christmas, pushing us toward more gifts, more decorations, More of everything. But here's the thing. Research shows that people who prioritize money and possessions actually experience less happiness, more anxiety, and a diminished sense of purpose, even after they get what they wanted.

Mm-hmm. That's telling. So how do we push back against that cultural tide? Where do we even start? Well, one of the most powerful practices is observing Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, meaning coming. It's a four-week season before Christmas dedicated to spiritual preparation. Traditionally, it emphasizes hope, peace, joy, and love.

Think of it as creating intentional space to examine your motivations and redirect your attention toward what actually matters. So instead of jumping straight into shopping mode right after Thanksgiving, we're taking time to prepare our hearts first. Exactly right. And during Advent, there are some really practical disciplines you can adopt. Daily prayer is huge, even just five to ten minutes where you're having a conversation with God. Share what you're thankful for, confess where consumerism has pulled you away from Christ, and create space for God to speak to you through scripture or silence. I like that it's simple. What about scripture reading?

Definitely engage with the nativity accounts in Matthew chapters 1 and 2 and Luke chapters 1 and 2. But here's the key, slow down, don't rush through them. Notice the angel's message of Do Not Be Afraid, Mary's posture of pondering, the shepherd's haste to worship. One practice I love is lectio divina, an ancient contemplative method where you read slowly, reflect on what strikes you, respond to God, and then just rest in his presence. I actually remember the first time I tried it, I'd been racing through my Bible reading for years, and suddenly slowing down to really ponder one verse changed everything for me. That point about slowing down our scripture reading really sets up our next piece.

Practical ways to resist consumerism. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. This episode is brought to you by Christshare. If you're looking to deepen your faith this Christmas season, Christshare is an online faith-based platform offering Christian books, apparel, and digital resources that help believers grow spiritually. Their blog discusses marriage, prayer, mental health, and unity in the church, while their store provides inspirational products designed to help you live

and share your faith. Find Christ-centered content that nurtures your spiritual walk at www. www.christshare.com. Picking up on that idea of slowing down our approach to the season, how do you handle the actual spending and gift-giving part of Christmas without falling into the consumerism trap? Great question. First, set a realistic budget before December even begins. In Deuteronomy chapter 16 verse 17 were instructed to give as we are able according to the blessing God has given us that means proportionally to your means not beyond them uh spend only what you can pay off immediately avoid debt-driven consumption that turns January into a financial nightmare makes sense what about the gifts themselves reframe gift giving entirely remember the tradition

honors the wise men who brought gifts to jesus But that doesn't require expensive store-bought items. Think about homemade gifts like baked goods or handwritten letters. Experience gifts work beautifully. Maybe a coupon for a homemade meal or a nature walk together. You can also make charitable donations in someone's name. These gifts often carry more emotional weight than purchased items. And honestly, nobody's going to remember whether the wrapping paper matched the ribbon perfectly, right?

Right, exactly. What about families with kids who are constantly, seeing ads and commercials. That's where you need to be intentional. Limit their exposure to advertising, but more importantly, involve them in acts of service. Have them participate in selecting gifts for others. Teach them the nativity story repeatedly. One tradition I've seen work really well is baking a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas morning. Kids understand birthdays, so making Jesus' his birthday explicit helps them internalize that Christmas fundamentally celebrates him. That's such a simple but powerful idea.

Speaking of traditions, what are some other Christ-centered practices families can adopt? There are so many good ones. Candles remind us that Christ is the light of the world, as John's Gospel tells us. The star of Bethlehem on Christmas trees commemorates the miraculous star that guided the wise men to Jesus. Some families create blessing bags with snacks, socks, and toiletries, then distribute them to homeless individuals while discussing why Jesus cares about the vulnerable. So the goal is making every element point back to Christ.

Exactly. The key principle is this. When someone enters your home or observes your Christmas celebration, they should encounter something that points toward Jesus. In other words, your celebration should communicate Christ through your decorations, your generosity, your service, and your authentic love. You're reflecting Christ's character and his redemptive sacrifice. What about serving in the community? How does that fit in?

Service is central. There are established programs that make this easy. The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts for children in need. Samaritan's purse runs Operation Christmas Child, which distributes shoeboxes of gifts to children worldwide. Meals of Hope organizes food packing events where families and churches can collectively package Christmas meals for those facing hunger during the holidays. I see makes sense. And generosity during Christmas reflects God's love in such a profound way.

It reminds people of the hope Jesus brought. You know, giving time to those who are lonely demonstrates God's enduring presence. Supporting local food banks ensures people in your community don't go hungry. These acts of service discipline your desires, redirect your focus, and model Christ's example that it's more blessed to give than receive. I want to touch on something that might be difficult for some listeners. What about people dealing with grief or loneliness during Christmas? That's so important to address. For many people, Christmas emphasizes absence, loved ones who've passed, broken relationships, isolation.

Scripture offers specific comfort here. Psalm 34 verses 17 and 18 remind us that God is close to the brokenhearted. Second Corinthians chapter 1 tells us God is the father of compassion. The key is acknowledging that grief is valid and remembering that Jesus came to be a manual, God with us, especially in our suffering. That's a beautiful reminder. So to everyone listening, have you thought about what your Christmas celebrations are really pointing toward? That's the right question, because here's the reality.

life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, as Luke 1215 teaches us. When we put Christ first, everything else finds its proper place. Isaiah 9-6 announces the arrival of the Prince of Peace. Luke 2.10 conveys the angel's message of great joy for all people with the birth of the Savior. That's what we're celebrating. That's what Christmas means. What a powerful way to frame it. This Christmas, let's choose faith over festivity, spiritual depth over surface celebration,

Thanks so much for walking through this with us today. My pleasure. I hope this gives everyone some practical tools to reclaim Christmas with real purpose.