The countdown to Christmas has begun. With Thanksgiving officially behind us, we have started counting the days till Christmas. In addition to being present for worship each week, would you consider these simple ideas to make this season meaningful for your faith?

1. Begin praying now for who you would like to join you and your family for a Christmas Program at your Church. During this season, people are much more likely to accept invitations. It is a great time to reach others with the message of Jesus.

2. Pick an individual or a family to pray for the entire month of December. At least you could pray from today till December 25. You could pray for their health, their marriage, their children, or any number of things. One of the greatest gifts you can give is your prayers on their behalf.

3. Find someone with legitimate needs and bless their life. This could be as simple as a gift of a meal or as costly as paying a bill. Look around, see a need, and then be the person to fill that need. If you cannot find an individual, focus on a particular organization and bless them.

One way to make this Christmas more fulfilling is to take your focus off yourself and even your family and put it onto the physical and spiritual needs of others. Loving the Lord our God and loving our neighbor are the hallmarks of faith, especially during the Christmas season.