By Carson Erdozain

Nativity and festivity are the most joyous parts of the season that commemorates Jesus’ birth. Oftentimes during the Christmas season, we branch away from God, forgetting about our religious celebrations that bring us closer to Him, not just individually, but as a community. It is easy to forget about Jesus during these times, but the best way to get involved is with nativity and festivity.

In the nativity, we celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, when He became the Son of God. He became man, preached God’s word, and died on the cross to save us from sin. In return for the sacrifices Jesus made, we can help those who are less fortunate. Food banks or local organizations are all great places to start. On Christmas Eve, my family and I attend the Christmas Vigil in my parish. It is a wonderful way to come together as a family and community.

When someone envisions Christmas, they think of presents, fancy dinners, colorful lights, or a cup of hot chocolate. There are other ways to find God in the festive fun. If you enjoy decorating Christmas trees, remember that the star on top represents the Northern Star that guided the three wise men through the desert. I enjoy giving gifts to friends and family as a way to show my appreciation for them. God gives us His gifts, and we should give as well.

We should always welcome God in everything we do, especially around the time that He came to save us. Whichever works for you this Christmas, whether you are saying a nightly prayer or putting the star up on the tree for the festive cheer, include God. Keeping Christ in Christmas is tremendously important for us to grow in our faith and understanding of Him.