Celebrate Jesus with the world. Tell them he came to the world to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Joyfully point to “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). For “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

In one way or another, we all look forward to the festive season. It’s a time when people wind down and enjoy a good time. The festive season is highly anticipated, because navigating the 365 days we have each year is difficult and often exhausting. For most of us, we joyfully limp into the festive season.

With that said, how can followers of Jesus Christ celebrate the festive season? Or, as the title asks, how can they flourish in this time? Below I suggest three ways for Christians to properly enjoy their festive season.

1. With Thankful Reflection

The festive season offers us an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness throughout the year past. That makes it a time when we can “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Have there been difficult circumstances for you to navigate this year? Maybe you lost a loved one; or you experienced severe affliction; or you felt that you were losing the fight against a particular sin. However, amid those testing circumstances you grew and witnessed the work of God in your life (James 1:2-4). So why not give thanks to God?

On the other hand, maybe as you look back you can see answered prayers. This festive season, why not review your prayer list and rejoice in some of the prayers that God has answered? Then praise God.

Reflecting on the year gone and being amazed by the undeserved kindness of God in our lives will produce hearts overflowing with thankfulness. So, this festive season, reflect with gratitude on the mercies of God. For “his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

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