Introduction

We are coming into the season of Christmas. A time of celebration, of gift giving, parties, family, and fun!  Do any of you have a birthday in December? Or do you know of anyone that does?  For those people, it can be great or not so great depending on the way in which it is celebrated. However, the most important birthday that we celebrate is on December 25, which is the birth of Jesus.

Program Ideas

Decorations and Refreshments

Decorate the room for a birthday party. You could use Christmas or traditional birthday party decorations. Decorate four tables for each quarter of the year and have the women sit at the table corresponding to their birth months. For January – March, decorate with winter, Valentine’s Day, or St Patrick’s day; April–June, use spring type items; July –September, use a summer or back to school; and October – December, decorate with fall to Christmas items. Serve one large birthday cake but decorate each of the 4 sections with a different season or serve 4 differently decorated small cakes representing each of the seasons. Ice cream cups and punch could finish up the refreshments.

Games

Check the following website for Christmas party games and ideas:

50 Christmas Party Games and Ideas (signupgenius.com)

64 Free Printable Christmas Games (mypartygames.com)

Craft Idea

Supply all the needed items to make a bracelet or pair of earrings for your own birthday gift or to give as a gift. These items can be found in most crafts stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) or at Walmart and on Amazon.

You will need:

• Fishhook earring wires or DIY Bracelet Chain
• Jump Rings
• Assorted Charms
• Flat Nose Plyers

For the earrings:

• Open the jump ring with the plyers, add the earring wire and charm. Close jump ring.

For the bracelet:

• Open jump ring using the plyers, add charm, attach open jump ring (with charm on it) to the bracelet, close jump ring.

Happy Birthday, Precious!

Here’s to new beginnings. I have always thought it would not be much fun to have a December or Christmas birthday. You might get more gifts, or you might feel like you were cheated. I personally know of someone who was always told their gifts were ‘birth-mas’ gifts. This person was often upset by this. However, our attitude can make all the difference in the world. We can show gratitude by being thankful for who we are.

Do you and your family have Christmas traditions? When my children were little, they knew that before any gifts from the tree were passed out and opened, we always started with singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Some years we had an advent wreath and would read and light the candles each day.

When I was a child growing up, we were allowed to open one small gift from under the tree on Christmas Eve. Usually, it was a gift from our grandparents. We also carried that tradition on with our children when they were younger.

Jesus was the first Christmas present ever given. A most important gift for each of us. As we give gifts this season, let’s remember to celebrate God’s precious and priceless gift of peace to us. Peace and life that come by faith in Jesus, our Savior.

Our personal relationship with Jesus begins with one verse. First Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun!” Because of Jesus and who He is, we are born again of the Spirit. We don’t have to be imitators of the world around us. We can reject things from our past and focusing on the future. moving forward with our new selves, new actions, and new attitudes to become that new creation. We need to celebrate who we are and our relationship with Christ. Live your life the way God intended for you to. Become who He wants you to be, a new creation in Him.

We should celebrate the birth of Jesus every December. Because of Him, we are born again by the Spirit. Find out the truth of who you are in Christ. As we celebrate Jesus’s birth and His love for us, as well as our love for Him, we reflect and remember the priceless gift that God has given in Jesus and the free precious gift of the Holy Spirit, our comforter. Jesus’ birth, Jesus’ death, Jesus’ resurrection a Priceless gift!

Do you struggle to find out who you think you are and who God says you are?  Below are, “I am…” Scripture verses. These verses remind us of who we are in Christ. (Print and cut verses to pass around in a basket. Have each person choose one to read. Discuss the scriptures.) Take your “I am…” verse home and put it in a prominent place to remind you of who God says you are.

Scripture Verses to Share

“I am…”

I am complete. Colossians 2:10 – So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

I am chosen. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 – We know, dear brothers and sister, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

I am forgiven. 1 John 2:12 – I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

I am one with Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:17 – But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

I am safe in Christ. Colossians 3:3 – For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

I am victorious. Romans 8:1 – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

I am beautiful. Song of Solomon 4:7 – You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.

I am special to God. 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are not like that, for you are chose people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

I am created for good works. Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Song

“Joy to the World” (SA Songbook # 113):

Close in prayer.