25 Days of Christmas

There are not enough days in December. Period. Anyone else agree?! We try to cram so much into a month that already has shortened days! I have a solution though. Six months out of the year have 31 days in them, one of them being December. Take one day from the other five (January, May, July, August, and October) and put them in December. If February can have a random 28 days then surely we could give December 36! All in favor say “I.”

So maybe we can’t add more days, but we can add more intentionality. And not just in December, but throughout the year. “Success requires a decision, failure merely requires your permission.” This is said often by my lead Pastor, Tom Lindberg.

To remedy this, last year I decided to start a new, but old tradition in my home: The 25 Days of Christmas. This is something my father implemented when I was a kid, and I wanted my kids to experience the same thing. Everyday, starting on December 1st, our kids open a letter that has some form of activity on it for us to do. It may be as simple as watching a Christmas movie together. The activity is not as important as the purpose, to intentionally spend time together as a family celebrating Christmas. From Christmas Bingo to cutting out snowflakes, we have had a great time together.

It may not sound like slowing down to you, but I know myself. I waste a lot of time everyday and in turn, every week. I waste it on unimportant things like checking Facebook, resetting a fantasy football roster on a team in last place, and the list goes on! This month, I took that time and invested it else where, and the dividends have paid off tremendously.

So we can’t add days to December, but we can make the most of the days we do have. Ephesians 5 tells us to “be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” This pleases God. Vision pleases God. Purpose pleases God. Laziness, does not please God.

Don’t complain about the time you don’t have, do something with the time you do have.



​Here was our 25 Days of Christmas if you were wondering:

Dec 1 - Christmas Movie
Dec 2 - Go to Nana and Papas
Dec 3 - Christmas Cookies Part 1
Dec 4 - A Christmas Minute
Dec 5 - Left and Right
Dec 6 - St. Nicholas Day
Dec 7 - Hot Chocolate Bar
Dec 8 - Dinner and a Movie
Dec 9 - Neighborly Love
Dec 10 - Christmas Letter
Dec 11 - Gingerbread Houses
Dec 12 - Holiday Bingo
Dec 13 - Crazy Christmas Dinner
Dec 14 - Zoo Lights
Dec 15 - Christmas Breakfast
Dec 16 - Snowflake Competition
Dec 17 - The Minivan Express
Dec 18 - Feliz Navidad
Dec 19 - Christmas Party
Dec 20 - Over the River
Dec 21 - Christmas Cookies Part 2
Dec 22 - Christmas With Grandparents
Dec 23 - Santa Shakes
Dec 24 - Pizza by Candlelight
Dec 25 - Christmas