Those with the Y chromosome are known for being haters of all things holiday. The extra demand on our resources for the next few weeks is intense. So, it’s easy to get cynical and critical. But, Men, we are called to something more than criticism. We are called to create the culture we want in our homes and beyond. The biblical word for this is “stewardship”. We are to be stewards of what we are given for the glory and fame of Jesus. We are to tend and care for the things God has entrusted to us (Genesis 2:15).
Men, our calling throughout the year is to develop a culture where those entrusted to your care are seeing and savoring Jesus. Perhaps, Christmas will encourage or jump start your efforts in this. We are called to steward this time so that those entrusted to our care can see and savor Jesus.
IMPORTANT: This starts long before you have children. You set the culture of your family long before you have Deranged Easter Bunnies running around.
So, what do you want?
How are you going to develop a culture in your family where those entrusted to you see and savor Jesus? Here are some questions to determine what you want your experience to look like.
- What do you NOT want this time of year to look like in your family?
- What helps those entrusted to you see and savor Jesus?
- What helps them have fun?
- What do you want them to learn?
- How can you reclaim this Season so that those entrusted to you can see and savor Jesus?
- What do you want your family to remember?
Spending what you have…
The two resources that get depleted quickly during this Season are time and money. Both are finite resources and must be stewarded well. Think about how you will steward these gifts from God.
Time
We all have twenty-four hours in a day and the same number of days between now and the end of the year. Steward the time you have. This will require thinking and planning on your part. If you are married, discuss these with your wife and make a plan.
- What do you want to do to see and savor Jesus?
- What do you want to do to have fun?
- What will you need to say “yes” to? What will you need to say “no” to?
- Is everyone operating off the same calendar?
Money
No one has an infinite amount of money. And lots of money can be spent quickly on things that will not matter in a few months when the pieces are scattered to the four corners of our homes. You need to determine how much you will spend and stick to this. If you are married, you need to work this out with your wife as a shepherd, not pass this down as a modern-day King Herod.
- Determine what you can spend and stick to it. Credit cards don’t count as income. And January is coming.
- Make a list of those you want to buy presents for.
- Are there other ways you want to be generous? International Missions? Other Charitable giving?
- Will you be hosting family and friends and need to buy groceries?
Seeing and Savoring Jesus
The point of all of this is for those entrusted to your care to see and savor Jesus. Make sure you spend your time and money helping those entrusted to you do this. There are many great Devotional Guides for you to read together. The one my family will be doing this Christmas is here. There are some great ideas in it to help those entrusted to you see and savor Jesus. This time will be well spent and it doesn’t cost anything.
You could just read through the following Bible passages and discuss with your family or friends.
- Matthew 1:18-25
- Luke 1:39-56
- Luke 2:1-20
- Matthew 2:1-12
- Galatians 4:4-6
If you are still reading this, Well Done!
You don’t have to listen to the world around you about how you will spend this Season. You get to create a culture in your home that displays the glory and goodness of Jesus to those entrusted to your care. But, you will need to “subdue and have dominion over” (Genesis 1:27-28) the resources entrusted to you.
Man Up. Be intentional. Be a good steward and have a Merry Christmas.
