As I prepare for Christmas, here are five important things I’m trying to remember. I thought they would help you too:

1. It’s about celebrating Jesus: Imagine your friends threw you a birthday party but then kept you out, or ignored you if you somehow got in. That’s how most Americans do Christmas. Yet the Child born in Bethlehem, who loves us all intensely, is also the Judge of all mankind. Honor Him by reading aloud the Biblical account of his birth in Matthew or Luke. Praise Him for coming to offer salvation from hell to the humble, who submit themselves to Him. This is a sacred truth that even Linus, of the Peanuts gang, knew.

2. It’s not about how you feel: As long as our happiness is based on ourselves, other people, and the situations that surround us, we will never truly be happy. The search for circumstantial or environmental happiness is why many people get depressed around Christmas. But when you meditate on Jesus’ love, and receive His love of salvation through confession, repentance, and asking for His forgiveness, it’s easy to love Him back. This is called joy. “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 NLT

3. It’s not a day, but a state of mind: This week, a bank teller asked my wife if she was “ready for Christmas.” My wife replied, “Jesus is in my heart, so I’m ready.” Christmas isn’t a day, but a state of mind. Because my mind’s no good without the LORD, I want to have Thanksgiving every morning and Christmas every evening. That is, I want to sincerely thank God first thing upon waking and then worship Him throughout the day. God wants his children to celebrate Him daily. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

4. It’s not simply a “holiday,” but a remembrance of Jesus Messiah (Yeshua Mashiach): Christmas literally means “Christ’s Mass,” or “feast of Christ.” It is a celebration dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was miraculously born, then supernaturally taught, healed, forgave, died, resurrected, and ascended to heaven — unlike any other figure in history. This is why I don’t say “Happy Holidays.” A local shop owner was told by a customer that he should wish people “Happy Holidays,” not “Merry Christmas.” She said he might offend people. He replied, “If there wasn’t a Christmas, there wouldn’t be a holiday, so Merry Christmas.” I love that! At Christmastime, I wish people “JOYous CHRISTmas, because He’s the Reason for the Season.” People nod in agreement and say “That’s right.” Listen to this upbeat song called “Christmas with a Capital C” by the GoFishGuys. It powerfully explains why “Christmas” is not a mere “holiday.”

5. This is also a great time of year to remember SaveCalifornia.com: As you give gifts to loved ones, please consider giving a helpful gift to SaveCalifornia.com.

In 2010, SaveCalifornia.com reached over 5 million Californians through our educational campaign exposing the harms of marijuana legalization; we alerted thousands of parents about the very real threat of government-school sexual indoctrination; we educated millions of Americans through the media on why man-woman marriage matters; and we taught application of God’s moral virtues for family, culture, and government all year long, utilizing media and technology.

In 2011, our priority focus is to reach and impact the hearts and minds of young people under 30. They are our future and our future leaders too. Together, we can teach them the benefits of God’s truth and the negative consequences of merely following their feelings. We simply must.

With your help, SaveCalifornia.com will harness technology and new media to launch targeted messages, community action, on-the-street activism, and more. It’s all very exciting and so needful. Can you see it?

Here at the end of the year, you can enjoy touching hearts and redeeming our culture through SaveCalifornia.com. Please participate. Your gift of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or more will help us enter 2011 with strength. You can donate online or donate by mail. Thank you in advance for whatever you can give.  

JOYous CHRISTmas to you and yours!