This year I was looking through Facebook and I noticed that many new moms are not wanting to raise their children to believe in Santa. At first I was in complete shock because believing in Santa was one of the most exciting and magical parts of Christmas. But then I got to thinking: the focus of Christmas has truly shifted. Today, people have become so consumed with the idea of buying the perfect present, or making sure that the Christmas season feels just right. We have become so wrapped up in things that we have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas!

With this being said, I believe that there is a way to keep the fun and magic of Christmas while maintaining the true meaning of the holiday.

1. Bake Jesus a Birthday Cake.

Sing happy birthday and say a prayer before blowing out the candles. This can be a family affair and it turns your kiddos attention to the real reason for the season.

2. Give before you receive.

Adopt a Christmas angel. Provide Christmas for a family in need. Donate to the Salvation Army or work at a homeless shelter.

3. Read the Christmas story before opening presents.

This will draw everyone's attention to why we celebrate Christmas before receiving presents.

4. Go to church on Christmas Eve.

I feel like this is a 'well duh' type of phrase, but it is something that is usually overlooked or forgotten.

5. Use unique Elf on a Shelf ideas.

This year, I saw a mom that made her little elves to the Christmas story. She had set up gingerbread houses and so after the kids read the story, they built and created the houses that Mary and Joseph passed on their journey! See? Still magical, but still focused on Jesus!

6. Make sure Santa/presents are not the central focus.

These little guys can be a fun bonus on the holidays, but if you make sure that they know that Santa is not the reason we celebrate, I still believe that it is perfectly okay for the little ones to believe in him.

7. Add Bible versus to the Christmas countdown.

For each of the twenty-five days post a new Bible verse around the house. Or have a bible verse memorizing competition for the kids and whoever learns the most by Christmas can receive one extra present!

These are cheap and easy ways to change everyone's focus this holiday season and with these seven little tips, keeping Christ in Christmas will be a breeze!