How to Christian your way through the Holidays
“I believe that being a Christian means that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a person who has accepted Christ into their hearts and strives to be more like Him every day.”
The Holidays are right around the corner, exams/supps are over, bags are packed, and the trip home is booked. For some, this is anxiety-inducing; for others, the excitement can not be kept in. Going home for the holidays offers varying emotions to all, but what it means for most students is that the routine you have carefully curated (in their various forms) throughout the year might just be ripped to shreds.
Going home means a variety of things; some of these include no longer being around the community you have carefully nurtured throughout the year, your weekly Bible study at the residence is on pause, and your church family is hundreds of kilometres away. You may not have access to a healthy biblical church near home. We also come from different homes; your family may or may not be believers, and other family dynamics also fall into play, some helpful, others harmful. With all these factors considered, how then do we Christian our way through the holidays?
Stay rooted
Colossians 2:6-7 “ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
During the holidays, many things may be outside of our control; we may have an unending list of chores, no access to a healthy church. In light of that, it is also good to remind ourselves of the things we do have control over. In the time we have, whether stupidly unlimited, so much so that we don't know what to do with ourselves, or so scarce that we can barely get a minute to breathe. We need to pay careful attention to nurture good Christian habits. When speaking to students, many highlighted that participating in community, prayer, Bible reading, and other Christ centered habits reminded them of their identity as Christians. Within the same breath, they also admitted that maintaining these habits at home was a challenge, but here are a few things that they considered helpful.
Be intentional about having a quiet time.
Whether it is early in the morning before the busyness of the day gets you, or right before bed, take a moment with you and God to read, pray, and journal. Setting reminders on your phone may be helpful, as well as letting a friend in on your plan so they can hold you accountable.
Read in Community
Read with a friend, whether a friend close by (if you have Christian friends nearby or a friend you have been meaning to evangelize). You also read online with a friend who might be far away. This is a great way of encouraging one another while you are apart from each other.
Start a bible study at home (if possible). This is a great way of not only growing in your faith, but also a great way of being a Christian witness in your family, which may also allow for evangelistic opportunities.
TBT also reads together via Read Scripture, which takes you through a book of the bible by posting passages from the book two or three times a week. This is done online via WhatsApp. This December we will be in the book of Esther, to join the group click here
You can also go through an Advent devotional to help yourself focus on Jesus and reflect on what his first coming means for us. Desiring God, Gospel, and the Gospel Coalition often offer Advent devotionals for free. like these here
Show Christ to those around you.
Matthew5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Being at home also means being exposed to family traditions that may not always align with your faith if your family is non-believing. In such moments or situations, it remains essential to show love and respect to your family, even as you stand firm in your faith. One of the best ways we can show love to our family is to show them the source of the most genuine love, which is Jesus.
Also, while at home, we must uphold our Christian values and walk in the light that we have been called into; the behaviors that we exhibit can put weight to the words we say. Simple things, such as how we respond to difficult conversations or when we are asked to do something, go a long way. Therefore, we must always remember to approach situations with love and respect.
Pray for these Holidays
The holidays are not just for physical rest; they can also be a time to find rest in Jesus. Pray these holidays are a fruitful time under God, and have a clear list of what you want to pray for.
Possible things to pray for
Pray for the Lord to help you find rest in him
Pray for healthy habits and discipline - reading and praying consistently
Pray for God to be at work in your heart and to work through you for the benefit of others
Pray for the courage to share the Gospel and the diligence to live it out be a great witness for the Gospel
Pray for growth and maturity in the faith and understanding of the word
Pray that you can come back from the holidays having spent them for the Glory of God!
Faith during the holidays isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being intentional. We want to look back and see growth and lives that were lived for the Glory of God. We want to say of ourselves as the holidays end and we return to our routines,“ We chose to love, to stay connected, and to boldly proclaim Christ, who is not only the reason for the season but also the greatest gift you can give to anyone this season.”
