In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it’s important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party. Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today. In Total Christmas Makeover , author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season. Give your Christmas a makeover with this practical approach to help your family learn what it means to truly celebrate their Savior. Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker (including the Aspire Women’s Events), Bible teacher, and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping others to seek Christ and know Him more intimately. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God’s Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is a contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional as well as Proverbs 31 ministries First Five app. She is the author of eight Bible studies ( Acts , The Names of God , Romans , Elijah , Numbers , First Corinthians , Joseph , and Jeremiah ) and four books ( Total Family Makeover , Total Christmas Makeover , 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina , and Dare to Hope ). Melissa makes her home in Waxahachie, Texas, with her pastor husband and four kids. Total Christmas Makeover 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose By Melissa Spoelstra Abingdon Press Copyright © 2017 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5018-4870-4 Contents Introduction, Ritual, Day 1: Remembering, Day 2: Food for Thought, Day 3: Prayer, Day 4: Make a Joyful Noise, Day 5: The Light of the World, Day 6: Taste and See, Day 7: Good and Perfect Gifts, Day 8: Offerings, Day 9: Serving, Day 10: Something Old and Something New, Relationships, Day 11: Scenery and Machinery, Day 12: Going All Out, Day 13: Proposing, Day 14: Withholding, Day 15: Forgiveness, Day 16: The Languages of Love, Day 17: Being Neighborly, Day 18: Spiritual Gifts, Day 19: The Least of These, Day 20: People and Patience, Rest, Day 21: Sabbath, Day 22: Planning for Rest, Day 23: Redeeming the Moments, Day 24: Rest for the Soul, Day 25: Entering God's Rest, Day 26: Resting Versus Escaping, Day 27: Balance, Day 28: New Strength, Day 29: Yielding, Day 30: The Day of Small Beginnings, Day 31: The Rest of the Story, CHAPTER 1 RITUAL Day 1 REMEMBERING This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food. ~ Exodus 12:14-16 When my husband and I got married, we found that our Christmas rituals had some similarities but also quite a few distinctions. My family get-togethers included lots of people overtaking a home and the chaotic opening of gifts, all occurring at once in the room. We had different types of food each year, such as shrimp, pizza, turkey, or ham as main dishes. With so many people gathering, we ate all over the house. Sometimes the routine changed from year to year with different foods, paper plates, and varied formats. One year we might read the Christmas story as a family, and other times we would attend a church service together. I can't recall it always looking the same. At my husband's family gatherings, Christmas included a perfectly set table, dim lights, and a more formal meal with traditional dishes served. Chaos would not have described anything that went on in his family home during celebrations. Things were orderly, and people were sentimental about the customs being observed each year. When it comes to our own family Christmas rituals, the most important thing isn't the mode of expression as much as the heart behind it all. Whether your family celebrates formally wit