Celebrating Christmas Differently

[@paulinacardiel8709]

I grew up being taught that we celebrate Christmas because it's a day we choose to remember His birth. The Christmas lights remind us of His light. The gifts remind us of the greatest gift God gave to this world, Jesus. We never made Santa anything special, we were told he was a fairytale. It was beautiful that way and something I'm now continuing with my children.

[@amajuoritseboyo5031]

so true. I also grew up knowing that Santa was a fairytale and Jesus was the reason for the season

[@hollyfarnell2011]

This is exactly what I'm doing with my kids!

[@nealamuniz]

It was the same for me. We also observe advent.

[@KaileyMarshall-Smith]

This is super encouraging! Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@Dr.Nellah]

I started celebrating the biblical feats this year and it’s honestly AMAZING the prophetic meanings behind them all and how much they all point to Jesus it’s absolutely beautiful!

[@barbaraclaudio2921]

I have too! The scales came off and I have been blessed to be able to make new traditions that hallmark the reason for the seasons, so to speak. It was never in the dead of winter. Thanks to Yah for showing me the way! HalleluYah 🙌

[@AbbyMcGuire23]

One tradition is taking the kids to volunteer throughout December to show them the beauty of giving, not just with gifts, but with time 🥰♥️

[@kelseyshort1444]

I love this!

[@KaileyMarshall-Smith]

That’s beautiful! Great idea!

[@micaelablankenship9807]

One of the traditions we did for Christmas every year when I was a kid was my mom would make a birthday cake for Jesus and we would sing him happy birthday after reading Luke 2. Chocolate cake to represent our sin, white icing to represent how Jesus washed us white as snow, red letters spelling out, happy birthday Jesus to represent his blood spilled out for us. This is something that I have carried on to do with my family now and think it’s a really sweet way to celebrate Jesus on Christmas in a way that’s easy for young kids to get excited about 🤍

[@adrianam.5787]

My mother would do the same thing ❤️

[@lindseet3665]

My aunt did the same thing! We’ve adopted it with our kids and they absolutely love it!

[@rebeccatinker9639]

What a beautiful tradition!

[@maybygrace9568]

This is beautiful! Will do it this year ❤

[@Mixed.ish_Chr1stLover]

Wow I love this! Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽❤️

[@RuthOnYouTube7]

I’m a gentile believer in Yeshua/Jesus and I started celebrating the Biblical Festivals a few years ago and it has been the most awe-filled experience for me. I absolutely love it. The hardest part though is finding a community to do this with since churches and Jewish synagogues don’t accept this theology. So I’m now in a boat with many other believers who are too Jewish for the Christians and too Christian for the Jews. One day we will all be One in Moshiach. I see you both are headed in that direction as well. Thank you for being a light! 🕊️🤍

[@Lexi_NurturelyGrown]

Personally, my family no longer celebrates Christmas in a commercialized way. No trees, santa, elves, stockings, etc. Just family, fellowship, gifts to loved ones and worship of our King Jesus. ☺️ We are grateful for His coming!!🤲🏾 God bless you both.

[@Lexi_NurturelyGrown]

Also excited to hear more about how you guys are celebrating the biblical feasts!😁 My husband and I have been observing them since 2022, it’s a journey!

[@NoelCiancaglione]

My husband and I started a new tradition this year of reading through the book of Luke starting Dec 1. It has 24 chapters and on Christmas Eve you’ll have read through the life of Jesus❤️

[@florz2833]

Hello there! I’m Roman Catholic, and we do advent , Christmas Vigil mass and midnight mass, Jesse Tree, as well as attending Latin mass. Gifts have never been the focus or Santa in my family. Love to see more and more people steer from that 🙏🏽

[@keilalevis3534]

I grew up without celebrating Christmas due to the legalistic approach in my upbringing. However, I now wholeheartedly embrace the holiday with my family, aiming to find a meaningful balance. Despite some people in my church labeling a Christmas tree as a sin and passing judgment on those who celebrate it, I don't let it affect me. I believe in celebrating the birth of Jesus on Earth, as it is a crucial part of the story leading to the cross.

[@rebekahmcdermott5504]

Love this!! I totally think choose to not celebrate and labeling all things Christmas as pagan is very legalistic. What matters is where our hearts are at, and reminding our kids through the whole season why we celebrate.

[@r.walker7986]

Have fun. Its OK, it feels good and its not hurting anyone, the lights, the food, the fellowship. The memories. God is fine with it. LOL

[@laurenbarrett4685]

Really feel like God has been doing this in my husband’s heart too. It’s like a veil was lifted and has been this slow stripping of things that actually were not of God. And yes not to condemn or anything ut such a deep conviction and to know and point our eyes that much deeper and set upon Jesus and scripture then culture and flesh. I am reminded of that song by Kim Walker Smith and the line that goes “Strip everything away till all I have is You Undo the veils till all I see is You“ I am finding out other people have been having this conviction too. The Lord is doing something. Where He leads fruit comes of it!

[@Ll-sq4qc]

I’m a Roman Catholic and my family and I started doing Advent back in 2020. It really is a beautiful tradition focused on Jesus. The Hallow App is a great aid for the time of Advent. This year we started reading the book of Luke on Dec. 1st as well. Next year, I would like to start doing the Jesse Tree tradition which will be really fun for the kids:)😊

[@Ll-sq4qc]

Also the Epiphany is something I’m really looking forward to next year on Jan. 6th!

[@ItsNicoleAnderson]

I’ve also been reading Luke since December 1st!! 🤗

[@bethaniequintela1392]

I’m also Catholic and I had my first child this year, so we are also following advent and it’s such a beautiful, penitential time!

[@sandra_bester]

I bought a brand new Christmas tree, then God inspired me to read more about Christmas tradition origins. It convicted me, I sold the tree. No gifts, no santa, no trees. We teach our kids the gospel and go somewhere as a family.

[@elizabethunger9190]

Honestly, that’s probably going to turn your kids away from religion. If you take all the fun out of life in the name of religion, your kids will grow up and want no part of it. This is such a legalistic way of thinking.

[@yuliagartside8110]

We never had Santa and this year skipped the tree also after reading about its origins. Hoping it will turn my kids off paganism because the tree as well as Christmas as a holiday are not biblical and make me think of a story of a golden calf when Jews dragged some of their pagan traditions and tried to tie it into their new covenant. They still get gifts throughout this season because it’s time of a few birthdays in our family and we celebrate the new year. We talk about what this year has brought us and what hopes and plans we have for next year. Every year passing is one year closer to the return of the Lord.

[@NoLazyBread]

@wendymtzc

[@alessiacesario4735]

As a Roman Catholic and a fifth grade teacher, I have introduced to the kids the concept of the Jesse Tree and how each day there is an ornament and corresponding scripture that teaches us about the important figures and stories in the Bible leading up to the Birth of Christ. It has been SO amazing to see the wonder and awe in my students as I guide them to understand the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

[@Misszoecooks]

I grew up in a very legalistic church. Where absolutely no Christmas was celebrated. Now that I left it I really enjoy the tree and being with family and the lights. We as humans tend to want so much structure and end up being legalistic. And that’s so scary. Spiritual abuse is the worst kind of abuse. If we make our life all about Christ and glorying His name he will ultimately show us the right balance. But please don’t become legalistic.

[@Lydia_grace_l]

YES!!!

[@Lydia_grace_l]

@brooke.- nope! I did a couple years ago but it wasn’t the Holy Spirit, it was other Christian’s. If you’re convicted by God then follow their convictions! If it’s people condemning you, you need to seek the Lord and see what He says.

[@hayelizabethp]

@brooke.- no? We sing happy birthday to Jesus, spend time in his word and don’t put an emphasis on presents. Yes we do gifts but we don’t make that the main focus….. you don’t have to suck the joy out of everything for your children to grow up and follow Jesus in fact this will turn more kids away than anything. I grew up in a very very very strict household like that and it made me want nothing to do with Christianity…. Thankfully I’m a born again Christian but you cannot restrict your kids from every single thing or they’ll grow up resenting you 🤷🏻‍♀️ as someone who grew up like this I refuse to raise my children like this. They’ll know the love of Jesus and about his word from our actions and what we teach them not because we confined them to this little tiny box where they were not allowed to do anything or make any mistakes.

[@juliafaye8764]

Unfortunately, I think they’re becoming incredibly legalistic.

[@Lydia_grace_l]

@brooke.- we definitely have to be careful and not partake in greed or focusing on the wrong things. Just like we should everyday!

[@clairejoy1838]

I leave in Spain, traditionally a Christian country, we use to just celebrate the kings on the 7th of Jan. not Santa. In my family on Christmas Eve before we start dinner, we sit down at the table, turn off the lights and my mom walks in the room with a candle and thanks the lord for the year and prays for whatever is needed for our family. It represents the light of Christ illuminating the world. It's a very special moment reserved for mothers❤

[@destinyamaya3131]

Recent convert from Protestantism to Catholicism. I love Milena and Jordan and i personally think they would love the way Catholics celebrate Advent. It has really refocused my husband and I's mind on the true reason for the season. Also highly recommend the advent devotional, "Winter Fire- Christmas with Chesterton". We look forward to each day's reading and has brought back that childlike christmas spirit in us. So excited to celebrate our babys first Christmas this year knowing we are in a season of preparing our hearts for the birth of christ on christmas and for his second coming. ❤️

[@briannaoconnell9901]

I'm Catholic too and love Jordan and Milena's videos! Welcome to the Catholic Church :)

[@Mamaforher]

This speaks to my heart. I havent had words for it but my family calls me the grinch. We went to the ark encounter and creation museum last week and on our road trip thw christmas music really spoke to me. I was able to express to my family what does grandma dying from a reindeer and partying around the christmas tree glorify Jesus birth. I was so blessed to come apon this podcast episode as it just resignated with me.

[@harvestnhome]

I personally think God would have given us the Date of Jesus' birth if it were really that important to know it.

[@sgtigereye]

That is a very good point.

[@AlexWolfenB]

There is the actual date of Jesus’s birthday in books that the Vatican has under lock and key that have not made it to be part of the Bible as we now know it. People talk about hidden books that the Vatican doesn’t want people to know about because it might chance things about the Bible.

[@sabrinanicoara4797]

Well he never said to celebrate our own birthdays either yet most of us do. So if you celebrate your own, what’s wrong with celebrating the Lord’s? Not everyone celebrates birthdays but the majority do

[@nicolette8909]

I would love to hear you discuss the feasts and festivities you’ll be celebrating this year! ❤️ I’m unfamiliar with them and would love to incorporate any further Godly celebrations into my life. Thank you for being a wonderful resource and support for those of us on our walk with Jesus ✨

[@adrianam.5787]

I'm Catholic and after going to the Traditional latin mass it has opened my eyes so much, who our focus should be on. Off tangeant but veiling for mass has helped tremendously in my life to be modest. Anyways, during this time we celebrate advent and prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ but ALSO during this time of the year during mass they read the book of revelation to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ at the sametime. As for decorating, as a traditional Catholic we don't decorate until either the 17th or before Christmas day for the same reason that the focus should be preparing our hearts for his arrival and not the traditional pagan Christmas. As for gifts my mom always told us that the gifts come from Jesus and thats what I tell my kids too :) they only get 2 from us also but we make them know without Jesus they wouldn't be blessed with those gifts.

[@catherinedurant7806]

I also go to the TLM!!

[@claireosvatics8480]

Same! I haven't decorated yet, and we decorate the tree on Christmas Eve.

[@jod1484]

I love that the Catholic church has a liturgical calendar full of biblical feast days

[@catarinateixeiranobrega2139]

I also love TLM

[@adrianam.5787]

@@jod1484 yes, I love this too!

[@kelseyshort1444]

Thank you for being so thoughtful and humble as you approach this topic! I so appreciate your work on this. Something my husband's family does well is to be missional about Christmas rather than only focusing on the nuclear family (which is still very important too of course!). They always invite lonely people or those far from family to their Christmas celebrations, both Christians and non-Christians. Holidays are such an organic way to share Jesus with the lost, especially when it's done in a relational way over a meal. You can even ask the children at the table, "Why do we celebrate Christmas" and have the kids explain it to the guests. So many amazing opportunities!

[@lovekleim5370]

Hallelujah for this video! Thank you so much for speaking about this. We stopped celebrating back in 2018 and as listening to this with our children when Milana mentioned she’s following someone who stopped 5 yrs ago my children were like “mom is she talking about you?” 😂 Milana YOU’VE MADE SUCH A HUGE IMPACT IN MY LIFE! Forever grateful for your obedience to the Lord. I printed out your ebook and wow! It’s a life changer. Mom of 7 here and I’m learning so much from you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 💋🤍

[@asformeandmyhousepodcast]

Hahaha 🤣 Thank you so much for the kind words 🤍

[@nickischroeder6048]

Loved this!! Totally understand your conviction. As a child I grew up with Santa and the focus mainly being on the gifts. Of course I remember loving spending time with family, eating and playing games. But the whole holiday was centred around this one day full of opening gifts. I didn’t grow up with Jesus at all. My husband didn’t grow up with Santa and when I became a Christian at 20 years old, I felt conviction about that right away. But I also felt such an amazing peace and joy, as when I learned the true meaning of Christmas I no longer felt sadness surrounding Christmas. I felt lost at Christmas time when I learned Santa wasn’t real and didn’t understand what we were even celebrating. I knew when we had kids I didn’t want the focus to be on Santa and only on Jesus. So my kids while they enjoy the cute santa displays in stores or movies, have never had Santa clause bring gifts and the focus in our home is always the gift of Jesus. We do give gifts but we try to keep it minimal, even moreso over the years. My prayer is that more Christian families will start to lean this way and also unbelievers will be pointed to Christ. Thanks so much Jordan and Milena for this ministry. Will miss your podcast until the new year. Merry Christmas and enjoy this time with your family!

[@jeslovesjesus]

It’s funny you mentioned not understanding what you were celebrating because I’ve been wondering lately, what do non believers even celebrate or tell their kids their celebrating at Christmas? The Lord is slowly convicting my heart about buying my daughter lots of gifts and doing things that have nothing to do with him at all but it’s hard lol. I really pray to reconfigure my approach to Christmas because our children need Jesus I believe, now more than ever. ❤

[@rebekahmcdermott5504]

This sounds like what we do too. I’m learning more each year how to make the focus more on Christ. My kids know Santa as a character, but he doesn’t bring gifts to them and we don’t emphasize him in our house, we point our kids to Jesus ❤ I don’t feel guilty celebrating Christmas knowing that our hearts focus is on the savior that our God sent to us.

[@deborahkoumah7617]

Me and my family usually have a time set a part at the end of the day for prayer and worship. We also usually start Christmas with a prayer. So I can completely relate to this because its been something weve done for as long as I can remember.

[@jenellemelendez2521]

Before commenting remember that whether you celebrate or don’t, do it all for the glory of God! ❤❤❤❤

[@nikkibuggy5010]

Melanie I love you guys please 🙏🏻 I pray you don’t let the Enemy stop You and your family from celebrating Christmas he does this too many Christians and people to distract them to keep them from celebrating the true meaning of Christmas because he hates it when we celebrate Christmas. It reminds him of his downfall, he can’t bear to be reminded of it he tries to confuse us by overthinking and therefore we end up not celebrate at all. Celebrating the wrong reasons. Celebrate the true meaning, and reason definitely! 🙏🏻🫶🏻 pray, pray about it, so that your heart may be at peace! Again live you and your wonderful family

[@A107S]

Love this y’all. We are a more minimal family because we have to be living with 5 people in a 940 sq ft home. We don’t have much Christmas decor and keep it simple. I feel way less stressed around the holidays. We have 3 boys. 1 gift per kid and 1 joint sibling gift is all we do. Plus their stockings which are all consumables (like art supplies: duct tape, paints, markers, play doh) or edible things. We draw names with our extended family so we only get 1 gift per person from the outside. This all keeps Christmas so minimal and not about the gifts because our kids get very few. They are SO grateful for the few they get, they don’t know any different. We do advent daily and constantly strive to point them to the Lord and what this season is about.

[@claudia_christianmommy]

Christianity is a personal journey to become Christ-like. The rules don’t apply anymore when you lean on the spiritual walk with Christ thru biblical truth of course. Some have to give all their possessions when it comes to the conviction of loving money more than God, some have to stop putting on make up for the love of vanity, some have to stop drinking alcohol for the lack of self control. About 10 years ago; I remember I became a Christian and understanding His love for us and all people for the first time; (I was raised with christian doctrine- but that year it clicked for the first time) I had the most special Christmas and celebrating that in my heart. I never felt shame celebrating his birth and thinking about how he came to earth rather i just was rejoicing in him while praying for the lost and felt so grateful (during the time I had no one at my side and I was actually going thru the hardest circumstances in my life.) he was near and dear in the midst of dark depression, it was amazing. Again I think even celebrating Christmas or not is a personal conviction not a rule to get closer to our amazing savior. Praying guys for your Christian journey, I can see your desire to increase in faith, truth and love thru teaching. So I am praying it will be blessed as I want to do same for myself. 😊

[@elizabethsadowski9423]

I like that you’re being very thoughtful. The last few years I’ve been growing more uneasy about how we celebrate Easter and Christmas. Both pages and man made holidays. We have already been given the feasts days and I think there’s a read they were given and much to be gained by observing them. I feel that through the story of the Israelites and the golden calf that the Lord would prefer us to not worship him in pagan ways. Also Deut. 12 I think conveys what God thinks about how we worship him

[@francesholmes9486]

I’m a young catholic wife and mama who loves going back to traditions in the Church as a way to keep my heart and actions Jesus focused. This channel has been wonderful inspiration for me to delve deeper into my faith as well as Biblical and Church traditions available for us. As a Catholic, we celebrate Advent as the season leading up to Christmas. It’s about fasting, giving alms, and most importantly turning our heart to Jesus and yes celebrating His coming to us as a little baby, but also keeping the spirit of looking forward to His second coming! How blessed are we that our Lord should come to us. There’s so much to learn each year in every season. I’m so grateful to celebrate our traditional feasts!

[@briannaoconnell9901]

I love seeing so many Catholics in the comment section! I'm Catholic too and have also found Jordan and Milena to be very inspirational. For all our differences, we have so much to share and appreciate with our Protestant brothers and sisters.

[@klaudiadrozdowska3438]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts over celebrating Christmas as Christians. So far I haven’t seen any problem in all that “season” but my husband have been thinking about it a lot and this year he decided to not celebrate it at all, last year we celebrated it my way (presents and decor🎄). He thinks it is not what God has command Christians to do, and there is too much world in it. Blessings for your family.

[@r.walker7986]

All the people I know who did not celebrate holidays as kids are not close to the parents or families and end up gravitating to the families of spouses, friends, and significant others who do. Traditions in general are just good to have, if you want to put more God in, then fine but they strengthen ties, stir up old stories and family history, create memorable memories and give people something fun to look forward to, church and religious stuff is great but never really that much fun, and people like to have fun on their time off, and when they travel.... it Ok to use these times where people have a lot of time off to just connect with family and friends with no other agenda. We blow it out every year. The lights, the music, it's honestly a fantastic way to end the year and sparks optimism and helps to start the new year off loved-up, prayed-up, refreshed, and recharged.

[@naomirayo3870]

exactly!

[@Klaudyacampos]

Yessssss 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 it’s just another Tuesday. But with a theme 😂 loved how you put it ❤

[@r.walker7986]

@@Klaudyacampos exactly People have birthdays every day but to people who don't know them it could be an anniversary, a graduation, a funeral, We can make a day about whatever we want or whatever suits us, we can adopt some parts and leave others on the cutting room floor, bottom line, its a great time to get together with your earthly family and friends and have a good time and fellowship. Some Christians just take everything too far, everything you do does not have to be directly biblical or christ centered, all the time and you will still be christian and OK.. LOL. We gotta lighten up!

[@Faithful2theEND]

I’m really enjoying your videos! I stumbled upon your video where you were talking about postpartum depression, which really helped me. And my favorite so far was the prayer walk. I had no idea about prayer walks. I have 4 kids and I went into their rooms when they were at school this morning and just sat on their bed and prayed for them. It really helps to hone in on each individual person, and I was telling my husband, these aren’t just people we are praying for they are our children that Jesus has entrusted us to take care of so it makes so much sense to go to their individual place of rest or dwelling to specifically pray for each one of them. I’m a Seventh-Day Adventist and it seems as though you are too? I was going through older videos to see if you are, but I’m not sure still. Anyway, God bless you and your beautiful family! ❤

[@Unworthyservantttt]

What a Timley video ! I’m 23 I have a Beautiful wife and 2 little boys and as a spiritual lead of the home I was feeling led to study how we will celebrate Christmas as a family in the most God honoring way as I can do this video was super edyfying. Also I want to encourage you brother and sister to keep going and spreading truth and stepping up to do things like KZbin. I know it’s not easy but continue to trust in the spirit to empower you and he will establish your steps!

[@daniellawhittaker5542]

I love that so many believers are starting to celebrate the biblical holidays! We have just started learning about them all and it has changed my perspective while reading the Word! It’s also given me a deeper desire and joy to follow the Lord. We are currently celebrating Hanukkah 🕎 🎉👏💕🙏

[@rebekahmcdermott5504]

I’m genuinely curious about why as a Christian one would celebrate Hanukkah, or what are typically Jewish holidays. If some Christians don’t celebrate Christmas or Easter due to some pagan traditions that are pulled in, then I wonder why it’s any better to celebrate a Jewish holiday. I’m wondering this because apart from Messianic Jews, practicing Jewish people do not proclaim Jesus as the Christ. Accepting Jesus as our savior being the only way to salvation, it doesn’t seem right to practice Jewish holidays and not celebrate the coming of our savior or other Christian holidays (assuming your heart and celebration reflects what we’re supposed to be celebrating) just because they’re not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. I believe Hanukkah is only mentioned once in the Bible, and it doesn’t say anything about it being something we’re supposed to celebrate as Christians.

[@daniellawhittaker5542]

@@rebekahmcdermott5504 Hanukkah is actually not considered a biblical holiday. But it is recorded in the bible being celebrated, even by Jesus. The Jews do not celebrate Hanukkah for the same reasons Christian’s do. Just like the world has made an idol of Christmas, Jews have made an idol of Hanukkah and taken the core meaning away from it. Hanukkah is a representation of Jesus cleansing our temples and delivering us. “Not by might, not by power but by your Spirit” It reminds us that it is not our works that save us, but Jesus who does. Are you familiar with the story of Hanukkah? It is very powerful. Another reason people are hesitant to celebrate it is because the story is not recorded in the bible but in the book of maccabees (although we see it being celebrated in the bible) Maccabee’s is a historical document just like the book of Enoch and others. Just like all other holidays it’s important not to make an idol of it. We are not required to do any of these things, and doing them doesn’t make us anymore “Christian”. At the core all we need is the saving power of Jesus. But it provides another level of appreciation for what God has done/ is doing for His people. I’d much rather give you links and you do some prayerful searching as I’m only just learning about it. The Holy Spirit is very much our teacher. I don’t know if that helped but I hope it did 💕

[@rebekahmcdermott5504]

@@daniellawhittaker5542Thank you for your response, and for not taking offense to my question. I am truly genuinely curious about this switch I’m seeing in some Christians choosing not to celebrate Christmas, etc. I have done just a small amount of research, but google isn’t always very helpful with these questions. You honestly answered it better haha.

[@daniellawhittaker5542]

@@rebekahmcdermott5504 Aw your so sweet. We have been blessed with awesome Pastors who are helping us understand it more. I will try and find some link and pop them in the comments. One lady on KZbin does a great job talking about it. Her channel is called “heavenly minded home” xx

[@MarellyRichard]

Ever since I became an adult I wasn’t much into the holidays, then I became a mom & gave my life to Christ this yr. I really just want to start my own traditions with my now own family. I recently turned 24 too & just am learning so much. I just don’t know yet what traditions we’ll start I’m excited though & for the new year/new blessings

[@ilsegabrielahernandez]

I love this video ☺️ I celebrate Passover, Pentecost, and Succot ☺️🙏 and I follow the Ten Commandments and follow sabbath! I’m so thankful to be a part of my community!!! I love hearing you guys talk about this and I love this podcast ☺️🙏

[@livingtheaz_life2029]

So do we!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ilsegabrielahernandez]

@@livingtheaz_life2029 Aw beautiful 🥰🥰🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@barbaraclaudio2921]

We have since 2020-2021 and it has been a wonderful experience for us. I'm seeing more and more people really asking tough questions about their faith walk and why they do what they do. It is something that is really stirring up the body of Messiah.

[@ilsegabrielahernandez]

@@barbaraclaudio2921I’m so happy to hear 😊!!

[@daejaruffin1130]

We always start the day off with prayer, we read the stort of his birth, light candles, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus

[@gabriellemcmeekan7908]

Yes I 100% agree! This is awesome! My husband and I have been doing this for a while and didn’t even notice until I just seen your podcast! We love to glorify him in ways that we’re supposed to! A few gifts for each child we have 3 and always try to make it about Jesus! So happy you guys came out with this.🤍 Amen to your prayer so good!🙏🏼🫶🏼

[@YvonneMarieElliott]

What a blessing! My husband watched and listened in with me because i heard the points being made and were matching exactly the struggle i was going thru even til now. He helps simplify my explanation so much, just as we heard Jordan round up what Milena was explaining. And for so many i know it really helps to have to husbands aid us when we least expect it. This is the year that came back to convicting me about the Christmas holiday and usual shenanigans. And also thankfully, God heard my prayer and has made a way for me to get away and take a trip which is more of a breather this year. I need to lighten the load on my brain with trying to appease others and just know Who im doing any this for anyway, so with that, i dont know what im going to setlle on but i do know God will show me what to do in my very next step. And that's enough for me and my house as well.😊 So gr a teful I am not alone in this journey of experiencing life with Christ, our Lord and Savior!

[@oliviaalvarado9089]

Been waiting for this episode!!!! You both have been such an amazing fresh of breathe air and helping transform my life and faith for me and my husband. Grateful for you too ❤

[@asformeandmyhousepodcast]

Wow, praise God! God bless you 🤍

[@Simplelivingslowliving]

Same with me . ❤

[@ileana.e.jimenez]

I’m very proud of you guys. I know the Lord will continue to reveal His truth to you both, don’t run away, be willing & receptive. I’m very excited to see what He does with you in 2024 ❤

[@ashb2404]

A few years ago my family went through Christmas and trying to decide how to celebrate it... I can't say we have done great at making huge changes... For those with younger children... I think the biggest hurdle we encountered was the fact our kids were already old enough that traditions and expectations have been set... They would have been understanding regardless of what we decided but it was very hard to not feel like we were taking something from them or changing something they already set in... We did leave out the tree one year and everyone survived just fine but that alone wasn't what needed changed.. but, if you want to do this differently, my tip is to do it as early in their lives as possible... For them but just because it's going to be way easier to implement those things before theyre pushing teen years like 2 of mine were.

[@Allonpurpose]

The prayer Jordan left us with left me in constant goosebumps, just being filled with the love of the Holy Spirit in me. This video reflects so much of what my husband and I have also been convicted of this year- and we are excited to see how our desire to change is helping open the eyes of our parents!

[@hadassahbeck148]

Yes I love that you brought up His birth in September! We can do our research and find it lines up that it was Sukkot/Feast of tabernacles! 😍 This was my 4th year doing the appointed feast days instead of traditional holidays that are so mixed with pagan things as well. I have found so much more beauty in the feast days, because I feel like they’re centered so much more on Him and His life! I have 2 nieces who are 2&4, they love it. They know when it’s sabbath and we honor that time, they get excited with the shofar, and they love learning about the feast days. I’m very much looking forward to Passover again, to really dig into the truth and not just eggs and bunnies etc. There will always be more to learn 🩷 I pray He continues to reveal His truth to your family, mine, and many others! God bless!

[@briannaluna3350]

I was waiting for the episode since the Halloween one and it was beautifully said! ❤ I love every bit of it! Hope you all have a blessed Christmas! 🙏🏻

[@emilyearnest9240]

I love this idea of re-evaluating our Christmas traditions. We have tried to keep the gifts to a minimum and emphasis it being Jesus' birthday and why it's important. My 3 and a half year old are making a birthday cake for Jesus for example. I would love to hear how you read scripture to little kids, especially Revelation!

[@ItsNicoleAnderson]

Aww this is making me so excited to have a family one day

[@homemaker0506]

Yes! I have a tiny 2 ft table top tree, minimal gifts. As Christian’s we left the world and traditions take over the meaning of the Lords birth. I have always wanted to switch up Christmas and celebrate on a month with no holiday like June 😂. We are very counter culture and carve our own path as a family.

[@elyssafuchikami1126]

We love celebrating advent! One of my favorite things growing up is my dad and brother build a wooden cross and manger that we would put up in our house every year instead of a tree. My mom always did stockings for us, and we would get a big bag of clothes each Christmas & that's it (from parents, siblings and extended family still did other gifts). My mom always went bigger on birthdays because, in her words, that's when we celebrate you, and Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus. It was wonderful :)

[@Nixie_the_Pixie]

This episode is so good! Would love to hear you guys elaborate on the other biblical celebrations you’ll be doing!

[@veronicaann6454]

I love this so much!! & I noticed on your thumb nail pictures you two are smiling more!! This journey is unfolding beautifully ❤

[@jackysmith7275]

I would love to see a video of you guys discussing the upcoming holidays you will be celebrating. I would love to start doing this for my family

[@annat2180]

Our church ALWAYS has church Christmas Day no matter what day Christmas falls on. Christmas is Christ’s day and what better way to celebrate Him then going to church that morning.

[@betty1707]

My parent always made sure to put the big nativity scene under the Christmas tree. It was the main thing an focus of our celebration. In Germany we celebrate advent, the time waiting vor Christmas. In this time all the focus goes on Jesus birth. My dad read to us everyday the Bible or some kind of devotional. Although we had presents, a Christmas tree and decorated, my mom never went over the top. Also in Germany Santa isn’t that big of a deal. Presents were always a symbol of love for others. I still use it to think of the people around me and make intentional gifts, not always materialistic. Plus I love to me minimal in every way also at Christmas. But still love the coziness and creating a beautiful atmosphere throug lights and decor. Thank you for sharing your perspective 🙏🏼🥰

[@chelseawelch3229]

AMEN.

[@BethSchaeffer17]

Thank you guys so much for sharing❤. My family is still wrestling with how to celebrate Christmas as well. This year we are putting together care packages for people in need, minimal gifts for the kids, and I actually did not decorate the home as the last few years we have not. In the future, I do think I want to slowly purchase some things that point to Christ that I can put around the home.

[@kayleylandry6540]

Thank you so much for this video! I have felt so convicted about Christmas this year and I really needed this!!

[@shanaliseramsey7098]

It's really cool to hear what you and your family are doing for Christmas. I love that everyone has different traditions for this time of the year and in the end celebrating Jesus' birth is the true meaning!! I still love decorating the tree with our kids, watching Christmas movies/music, and decorating a gingerbread house. I have great memories of all these things as a child. But most important is the birth of Jesus. Trying to find the balance is a challenge.God bless you Jordan, Milena and your children 💓💓

[@kristy6100]

You are glowing Milena !

[@tarahtubre1145]

I’m so glad y’all touched on this ! i have been having the same conviction about christmas since i had my children !! and y’all said this so well !! I love seeing how God is using yall in such an amazing way and Mileana you are truly such an encouragement i’ve been following along for almost 4 years now and you have been such a blessing to follow along!!

[@alliemccall4139]

Hi I was recommended y’all’s video. I am Catholic and am doing a lot of the same things as you guys this year. As for the feasts throughout the year in the Catholic faith, they are frequent and come with lost of traditions. Just curious, have y’all looked into the Catholic faith? Thanks for the great content!! 😊

[@Maverick-zy7yu]

They seem to oppose of the Catholic faith with small remarks here and there. theyre more interested in being influenced by other Christians online. I grew up Catholic and questioned alot of practices. I found the TLM and have grown to understand so much of my faith and in Gods grace for us. im so thankful I didn’t stray to orher churches to listen to a random pastor person.

[@bethaniequintela1392]

@@Maverick-zy7yuI was the exact same way! Last year I was heavily debating leaving the Catholic Church, but discovered TLM and my faith has been stronger than ever and I’m so glad I didn’t leave.

[@Maverick-zy7yu]

@@bethaniequintela1392 yes! Isnt it amazing to dig into truth. i guess i can go off on a tangent about the wrong decision certain individuals are making who have to do with the faith which tend to leave a bad taste for non catholic followers but we cannot leave God or the church because of Mans mistakes. Its like the same with having a terrible president in our country but that doesnt mean you run away to a different country giving up what you have already.

[@khristinamagdaleno7343]

I love this! Definitely I’m struggling getting my parents on board with minimizing the amount of gifts to my son. 😅 I love the ornament idea of writing scriptures! ❤

[@TheTheresaI]

This is something we have been struggling with for a couple years too. One tradition we’ve started is watching more nativity movies leading up to Christmas and on Christmas morning we decorate with birthday banners and balloons and before we open any gifts we read the gospel story of His birth and have a birthday cake for Jesus. It helps the little ones understand it’s a birthday celebration.

[@acjoeboxer]

Can you tell me some nativity movies to watch h as a family?! :)

[@ErinNicole617]

God bless you guys and your kiddos!

[@gotnothingbutlove]

This year my 4 year old daughter happily suggested to make a cake for Jesus because everyone needs to have cake on their birthday! And so i think this will be one of our 1st of many CHRISTmas traditions. Making an effort and recognise Jesus came down and was born for you and me ❤

[@Dearlybeloved2024]

Last year, the Lord stripped us of the holidays as we realized they had become idols and we also learned so much about the pagan origins of Halloween, Christmas, Easter traditions. We decided as a family to learn about and acknowledge His Holy Feasts and put Jesus back in Christmas and the Resurrection… no more secular traditions anymore (tree, Santa, gifts, Easter baskets, etc) and it feels so much more intentional and Christ honoring….

[@lexi4kenya698]

Great idea to talk about Jesus second coming! Do you have a video on celebrating birthdays or have you reflected on that as well?

[@amajuoritseboyo5031]

I loveeee the balance you both gave to this!

[@angelamelum4304]

Great topic and love how you are seeking God in how He wants you to celebrate. We have never done Santa. We have never charged anything. Our kids get four presents. Over the years the holidays have not been kind with medical issues with my son, medical problems with my dad, and finally all four of our parents passing during the holidays. Through all that God showed me that Christmas was not an idol for me. For me it is all about the celebration of a fulfillment of prophecy that the Savior was born. I think it’s important for each family to seek God and for everyone else not to judge others for how they celebrate the birth of Jesus as we do not know how God is convicting someone.

[@ritah_ndlovu]

Look at God. I feel like the Lord has been speaking to me about how we celebrate Christmas as well.

[@summerquiroga]

IM GOING TO MISS YOU GUYS! January is too far away! My husband and I watch your episodes together and we reflect on them and get to talk about thoughts! You guys really help us and set a good example on how we want to incorporate the Lord into our household! Thank you so much Jordan and Milena 🎉💛 y’all are the best! I’m praying you have a great holiday season with your loved ones 🙏🏽

[@CBA-kc9rc]

Glory be to God. Thank you, Milena and Jordan, for making this video. It's such an awesome eye-opener. Thank you to you, both. Greetings from Germany, Claudia 💓

[@soullove3128]

I’m so grateful for you guys and your knowledge, & your kindness for sharing your journey. It helps me, and my journey.

[@haleighroberts186]

great podcast episode! I have been a fan of watching y'all for so long and am loving these episodes lately! my hubby and I are not big gift people which I think has been great because its taught us more so me that gifts are not the most important thing since its so easy to get into that mindset. Also would appreciate prayers! I am almost 36 weeks pregnant with my Hubby and my miracle baby after 2 years of infertility and 2 failed rounds of fertility treatments and I am beyond thankful to be pregnant but I am still working part time and I am really struggling! prayers for strength for the rest of this pregnancy and for baby boy to be born healthy and me to remain healthy would be so appreciated!

[@gemmaalario5788]

I definitely agree with not getting too secular with Christmas and having minimal presents and keeping the focus on Christ rather than Santa etc. I am Catholic though and we do have tradition as well as Scripture. It is Advent now and we celebrate Christmas from the day of Christmas until Jan 6th the Feast of The Epiphany. We keep our tree till Jan 6th too. Also “The Christmas tree tradition started in northern Europe but is now universal. It’s always some type of evergreen tree, symbolic of the new and eternal life of the Christ child. The lights on the tree represent the light and hope of Christ; the ornaments represent the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit found in the soul united to Christ, and the star on top of the tree represents the Star of David that led the Three Kings from the East to Bethlehem” Prayers for preparing for the coming of Christ and have a Merry Christmas ❤️ thank you for all you both do!

[@briannaoconnell9901]

I'm Catholic too! Love seeing other Catholic listeners of Jordan and Milena!

[@faithglory3000]

One year my family created our own Nativity Scene and painted the figurines. We didn't have a tree, but we put lights throughout our apartment. We never celebrated with Santa, because especially my husband didn't want to be a liar to our children. We focused that day on Jesus. God bless all reading in the Mighty name of Jesus. Amen 🙏🏻🕊💖

[@ashleyboie1398]

We have a little Christmas tin we have everyone each year write on a little piece of paper a prayer that Christ answered for us and we write our name. We keep all of the answered prayers in the same tin from all the years. It’s really special, opens up room for great meaningful conversation

[@dshannon1038]

Sept 11, yes sir!

[@krystlprice3543]

Something we started this year is a gift to Jesus. We talk to our children about being the hands and feet of Jesus. So we encourage them to do things like donating their toys, serving at our church, giving to those in need. We write it down on a piece of paper and it goes in a box under the tree. Then on Christmas we will open the box and read them. We got this idea from a book called The Sparkle Box.

[@mmhh5579]

That’s a great idea!!

[@vg7177]

Hey guys! I know you have a lot on your plates, but I would so love to know more about these ancient Israeli feasts or traditions you are starting to celebrate. Also where in the Bible or other texts can we research them and how Christ might still want us to celebrate.

[@bakesourdough23]

Love this and thank you for sharing may God bless you both and continue to bless you and your family! ❤merry Christmas and can’t wait for the new year!

[@JessicaTayB]

“I feel seen” Jordan’s humor 😂🤣

[@annalynngriffin7730]

Please please please do videos on the 7 holidays! I have been struggling and praying for an understanding of them!

[@barbaraclaudio2921]

If you would like some resources I can send you some via email.

[@cruzwithrachel]

I absolutely loved this discussion. Thank you for sharing ❤️ This really encouraged me. My husband & I just got married this year and it’s our 1st Christmas together. We don’t have any kids, but we’ve talked about how we might celebrate Christmas in the future to truly make it about Christ. We’ve personally decided to not give each other any gifts. We really don’t need anything, and if we do, we buy it anyways lol. But, the heart of it more focused on giving. We don’t want to emphasize so much on presents if God ever allows us to have a child. We’d hope to raise them in such a way that they’d rather go buy a present for someone else in need than receive one themselves. I also can relate to the materialism in our country. The pull is in every direction, and by God’s Grace He’s growing me more and more out of it. Not going to lie, it’s been a challenge to not go overboard on buying cute decorations our first Christmas, but I’m glad God used my husband to remind me that material things all burn away, and not to let our gaze and distractions take away from God but point to Him instead. Love this sanctification process, will see how God further grows and convicts us. Love hearing what He’s spoken to you and your family! It’s inspirational. Much love!!!

[@cruzwithrachel]

We also decided not to buy anything Santa Claus in our home because we believe He takes away from celebrating Jesus. We’ll still listen to Christmas songs or watch Christmas movies, but we won’t teach our child that he’s real. Simply a fairy tale. If I’m going to raise my kid believing in Jesus, and then lying to them about Santa, that takes my credibility as a parent, so we’ve decided if we ever had kids to just tell them the truth about it :)

[@Miqueala.]

How did I miss that you uploaded this video!? Ive been waiting for it since your Halloween video! It’s great seeing you really dig into and ask why they do things, Mathew 7:13 says that the path to heaven is narrow; so why do we follow what everyone else in the world is doing? This is something I began to ask a a few years back when I started dating my now husband. And now we have chosen not to celebrate Christmas for many reasons (which I won’t get into) but we now celebrate all the the festivals and feasts that Adonai commanded us to keep in the Bible as well as Shabbat and the commandments. It has made us become more intentional as they are so meaningful! I tried so hard to hold onto and justify Christmas and make it meaningful but in the end it just didn’t work for us and didn’t feel that it was right. This can be such a difficult topic as everyone has an opinion but I love seeing God use you to open others eyes and encourage everyone around you! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@rachaelmorlock]

Have you heard of a Jesse tree?! Great activity for Kids, you hang an ornament the represents a bible story and you read it with your kids. There's so many different styles of this. Trying to do this more with my kids

[@elleredeemed]

I love the body of Christ! In a lot of ways, it would appear that we have a lot of differences! but when y’all speak about different topics, I always see the unity of The Holy Spirit! Even if we walk out some things differently, the heart posture is always the same ( or striving to be ). I’m thankful for you guys ❤️

[@Catherine-ti5by]

Lovely comment!

[@morgananacker-gr7sf]

My parents always made Christmas about Jesus and not the gifts or other things, which I am very grateful for. Something I will continue with my children that they did is only give my children 3 gifts because Jesus only got 3 gifts when he was born (gold, frankincense, and myrrh).

[@cassdcass]

Can't wait to watch this! Appreciate you both! Enjoy your time off!❤ you've been such an inspiration for me, a 34 yr old wife and mum to 3 girls: 6 and under.

[@asformeandmyhousepodcast]

Thank you!! 🤍

[@victoriatriton1331]

I absolutely love your content, you guys are a real blessing. I was wondering, what kind of church do you attend ? And are your children already baptized, or do you want to wait until they’re older ?

[@KaileyMarshall-Smith]

Milena + Jordan! Can you PLEASE do a video explaining the Jewish holidays and the ones you are celebrating! I recently started watching THE CHOSEN + my interest in the culture of my savior has sky rocketed. I automatically thought of Jordan, maybe he has touched on the topic in a previous podcast/video? 🤔 As always thanks for obeying the Holy Spirit, and encouraging us all as we fight the good fight of faith! 🤍

[@kloguti601]

With our little one we do a 25 day advent with the Shepherd's Treasure (highly recommend) to search for baby Jesus and she gets 3 gifts just like Jesus was gifted 3 things. This includes making a cake or cupcakes to prepare for His birthday.

[@emmahoytlowrey]

Can I be added to your prayer list? I am a mom of three. My son just turned two on NYE and my daughters (twins) are almost three months old. I am starting to struggle a bit. I am beginning a faith journey, I just don't know what it will look like yet. I have started with listening to worship music all day throughout our home because I love music and it seemed like a good first step. I have some religious/church trauma so it's really hard for me to take this step but I feel something calling to me. I hope someone can relate. Love you guys

[@jourdantoliver4310]

i think about syncretism in the faith literally all the time, so i love that you're calling out how we celebrate holidays that have become secular too, like christmas or easter (as in the easter bunny, not good friday/resurrection sunday). keep sharing these truths and pointing everything back to Jesus!❤

[@kaileypappas2657]

The content I’ve been waiting for!!!! Thank you guys ❤️

[@kaileypappas2657]

Just finished the episode and man do I feel encouraged. As a new wife, I feel a call on my heart to prepare our home and future family to celebrate the Lord in new ways! Thank you for being a light and sharing your wisdom with us. God bless you and your family this season and all the days to come. ❤️

[@tatyanaargirov1928]

One thing we do to glorify Jesus in the holiday season is I make an advent and every day we do something special with the family like an activity, we go outside look at stars and talk about wise men, we read nativity story in Bible, we pray for those in need, we give gifts to people, do a puzzle for quality time and lots of other fun things to get the family together. Reminding the children daily what Christmas is about. Also give a gift (just one) on the new year instead of Christmas because they already get something from both grandparents I love the ornament idea, I will have to adapt that!!

[@andreamwood]

Can you guys please do a podcast on the biblical holidays? My husband and I have looked into it but couldn’t find everything on them

[@barbaraclaudio2921]

Send me your email address and I can send you some resources.

[@catgeel264]

I'm not from the US, but in our country we have certain traditions around celebrating births, foods we eat only to celebrate a baby being born etc. What we do, is have those foods, and perform those traditions on christmas eve. Drives the point home to the little ones that it's about a baby being born, and combined with the special church service on christmas eve, I feel it helps to see what it really is about. My parents started this tradition and we continue it with our kids!

[@JessicaWarner-t4j]

The idea of not celebrating christmas has come up for me a couple times this year and last. Ultimately my convictions lead me to this: Jesus, his birth, death, resurrection is sometiing I celebrate everyday. Christmas is a wonderful OPPORTUNITY to show our friends etc how we live differently, do Christmas differently, all about jesus. We dont need Christmas, but it is a cultural holiday that gives us a missional opportunity for both our children and others we know. Our biggest challenge is grandparents buying an insane amount of gifts....even when we have asked them not to.

[@notbreadalone6696]

Just like Paul used the feast of Passover (I believe) to witness to the Jews!

[@JessicaMichelleVids]

How do you guys do presents with family? Do you buy gifts for everyone?