Forty-Eight hours from now, most of us will have completed or be near the end of our typical Christmas Day traditions. Granted, they may be different this year, but I would wager a guess that they will still include early(ish) mornings, presents, and family. If you're like me, Christmas Day tends to end all too quickly and you're left wistfully staring at the last 6 days of the year, wishing you could go back to the 25th and all the joy (and presents) it brings.
What if I told you that the 25th was just the beginning of the party?
This is no ruse! According to the liturgical church calendar, the 25th of December is the first of the 12 Days of the Christmas Season. Yes, just like the song (hopefully with less birds, though...). So, I want to help you lean into the lengthier (though still not long enough) Christmas season. Get your Christmas sweaters and wooly socks on, grab a warm Christmas beverage, and get ready to drag this party out.
What follows is a list of Scripture passages to read and activities for you to try out in order to help you celebrate on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas (you can also follow us on instagram @newheightswhbc for daily reminders).
Day 1 | Friday, December 25
Read: Isaiah 11:1-9
Do: Open and enjoy any gifts you've been given!
Day 2 | Saturday, December 26
Read: Luke 1:26-38
Do: Watch a Christmas movie with family or friends
Day 3 | Sunday, December 27
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
Do: Worship with your church body or at home with your family.
Day 4 | Monday, December 28
Read: Luke 1:46-56
Do: Enjoy or play some Christmas music—maybe even go caroling!
Day 5 | Tuesday, December 29
Read: Luke 1:67-79
Do: Take a nap or sleep in; rest.
Day 6 | Wednesday, December 30
Read: Luke 2:1-7
Do: Read a book with a nice Christmas drink.
Day 7 | Thursday, December 31
Read: Luke 2:8-21
Do: Enjoy a meal with family or friends and celebrate New Year's Eve.
Day 8 | Friday, January 1
Read: Luke 2:22-38
Do: Go ice skating or sledding—maybe start a snowball fight!
Day 9 | Saturday, January 2
Read: Matthew 2:1-12
Do: Bring order to some area in your home—clean your room, do the dishes, organize somethign, etc.
Day 10 | Sunday, January 3
Read: John 1:9-14
Do: Bake Christmas treats
Day 11 | Monday, January 4
Read: Colossians 1:9-20
Do: Write and send a Christmas card/letter
Day 12 | Tuesday, January 5
Read: II Corinthians 5:16-6:1
Do: Give one final Christmas gift to someone
More than just reading and doing these activities, though, I pray that the reason for the celebration of Christmas—the coming of our King, Jesus—would carry on in your heart, that you would learn to live your lives in the joyful celebration of God coming to earth, and that your days would be filled with love, joy, and peace.
Merry Christmas!
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