The fast-paced, deal-seeking, commercialized holiday season leaves many people scratching their heads on Dec. 26, wondering where Jesus was in the midst of all the craziness. 

For the last couple of weeks, we've been asking Christian recording artists questions about the holidays, including holiday traditions and favorite Christmas songs. This week, we pose the question: What is one way we can help put "Christ" back into "Christmas"?

Have a Merry Christmas from your friends at NRT!

Chris Tomlin: The true secret of life is to give rather than receive, and no greater gift has been given to us than God giving His only Son, Jesus, to make a way for us, to bring us hope and salvation.

Sara Groves: Outside of the Bethlehem, a big part of what Christmas is—what I think God always intended—is a time when we connect and get together.

Plumb: Stop buying so much junk and toys and electronics that no one even needs and spend more time giving of ourselves and of our resources. There is a distinct difference between buying presents for people and truly giving to and serving them. And in doing so, we learn more about sacrifice, which is the kind of gift that Jesus was to us.

NewSong (Matt Butler): In the words of the great songwriter Billy Mann, we should "turn down the world and turn up the love." I'm all about Santa, and presents—I love that! (Mostly I love watching my kids love it.) However, we are actually celebrating God's gift to the world! So, in the past my family would intentionally not buy certain gifts, and either give that money to those who couldn’t afford a gift, or just give away the actual gift to someone who could really use it. We would hand deliver it to an unexpected person, or give to a child in need. As a good friend always tells me, "We are never more like Christ than when we're giving."

Anthem Lights (Caleb Grimm): To be honest, I'm more concerned with keeping Christ the focus of our lives year-round, than just in December. Of course He's the reason for the holiday, whether people realize it or not. Unfortunately, we are always going to get caught up in distractions at times (just like we do the rest of the year). All the gifts and parties are great fun, as long as they're in order to celebrate the ultimate gift (Jesus' birth).

Jessa Anderson: While growing up, our family read through the story of Jesus' birth together each year, before we did anything else on Christmas. It really made a difference in my perspective on Christmas, and it's something my husband and I do together and will now do with our daughter. We have been celebrating Advent in the last few years as well, which I find really helps prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ, not just of Christmas as a holiday.

JJ Heller: I think a great way is to focus on the lyrics when we hear and sing Christmas carols. There is so much theology, truth and power in the words of those songs, but they're so familiar that sometimes we forget to open our hearts to the message.

FFH (Jeromy Deibler): I think the best way to keep Christ in Christmas is to cut back on the shopping. I think Jesus loves to see us be together more than scuttling around for presents. Jennifer says I'm a Scrooge!

Benjah: Personally, I feel presents and gifts are very distracting, especially for youth. It just breeds selfishness. I would say hold off on the gifts and focus on celebrating Christ's birth and what it means to you and your family. If you really feel the need to give, don't do it by giving a toy that will be broken and forgot about in no time, but rather byfulfilling the needs of the needy.

Matt Brouwer: A few years ago, I went with a missions team from my church to some rural towns in Jamaica. At first the idea of spending the Christmas holidays away from my family was a tough decision. I'm from Canada, so a Christmas without snow seemed strange, but it turned out to be amazing! We put on Bible clubs for the kids in the neighborhood, had a Christmas party at a youth detention center, and visited an infirmary where the power of God's love hit us all like a crashing wave when we entered the room. We met a blind man named Godfrey who had lost his legs and was bedridden. He was so grateful for some visitors that he shared with us how God had saved his life and how his heart was filled with joy in spite of having nothing. As he talked there wasn't a dry eye in the room because we all saw God's power as Godfrey spoke. We knew he had seen the Lord! It was hard to fathom such brilliant light shining so brightly in such a dark place, but then it hit me, that's exactly what happened that first Christmas as God showed His love by sending His only Son to save the world...and it was that moment more than 2000 years ago that saved our friend Godfrey. Since that Christmas in Jamaica, I have had a much deeper experience of the holiday season than I had ever known before. I've seen with new eyes what powerful hope the true message of the season gives to all who are in need. How do we keep Christ as the focus? I think we humble and quiet our hearts and allow ourselves to be used to share Christ's love rather than trying to have a perfect holiday.

No Other Name (Laura): Simply by celebrating it more! I think Christians are sometimes guilty of making Christmas about "stuff" rather than Christ. Church calendars are packed in December. And it is so easy to get carried away with finding that perfect present or hosting that perfect party. Almost all charities have special fund raising drives at Christmas. My husband and I have found giving to causes we believe in during the holidays helps us keep the focus where it belongs. Plus, it's really fun!

John Schlitt: State the fact. Be a witness. Don’t use that ‘xmas’ kind of stuff. Just absolutely make a point of saying “This is Christmas. This is Christ’s birthday. We’re celebrating the Savior’s birthday; a very, very important day in the history of mankind.”

Nathan Tasker: After hearing that both the manger and the cross are made out of the same material (wood), and that they are therefore both part of the same story, I wrote the song “Cradle to the Cross.” Every Christmas we have the option to view the birth of Jesus as simply an isolated event that we come back to year after year–we see Jesus as a baby, harmless & fragile, and forget that this baby grows up and offers Himself for us. In many ways, Christmas is only good news if you embrace the grown up Jesus, who gave His life that we might live. Now that is the best present any of us could hope to receive this Christmas or any time of year!

Jason Bare: It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, with all the shopping, the parties and programs. Sometimes we need to just slow down and take a few moments to talk with our families about the real reason we celebrate. Maybe spend a little more time setting up that old nativity that’s been in the attic for years and a little less time worrying about the shopping list. I have an old nativity that belonged to my parents, and my grandparents before them, and every year we pull it out and find the perfect spot to display it in our home. That nativity has been a valuable piece because it has always served as a reminder to me of what Christmas is really about. Take the time to read the scriptures in the book of Luke to your family. Take a few moments and talk to your friends about the birth of Christ. Remind the people around you what Christmas is all about!

Matt Papa: Well, I don't think the answer is tearing down all the Christmas trees and the people who like them. Santa Claus isn't satan. Religious people often run from the world, when Jesus was sent right into it. Christmas is about incarnation. It's about incarnating a message within the culture/context you are in. We can put Christ back into Christmas by putting Christians back into Christmas.

The Sonflowerz (Becca): Christmas has always been about Christ, but we’ve added so much else to its meaning. Santa Claus and decorations aren’t bad in themselves, but they shouldn’t be center stage. Too often, the busyness of the season makes people more stressed and overwhelmed to draw near to Christ. It would benefit us to slow down, and ask God to help us see the Incarnation in a new way in our hearts.

David Ian: When I was younger, I remember how much my mom disliked the abbreviation "Xmas" and I have grown to appreciate why. The Christmas season for many seems like it has turned into such a busy and hectic time of year because of all the requirements we have placed on ourselves, while leaving no room for the things that matter. I think it's important for us to scale back and make this season much simpler. I think that is the first step towards putting "Christ" back into Christmas and into our lives.

Cortni: I believe that even though many businesses are not allowing the word "Christmas" in, we can still say Merry Christmas! We can shine our love for Christ through our kindness and just by letting His joy shine.
Andrew Greer: I think it starts individually, by surrendering to Him as Lord of our heart. With His spirit at work in our hearts, every season, including Christmas, will naturally reflect our Great Redeemer.

Mosaic: All of us in Mosaic are fairly young, but the group contains two married couples so we are often talking and dreaming about how we want to build up our future kids and families. There is real value in the family unit really looking at God’s Word together in some fun and creative ways. As believers, we have such a rich and beautiful story that we often don’t really take the time to reflect on and celebrate. If we want to put our focus on Christ, one of the best ways is just for communities and families to dig into the Word together, to explore it together, and to celebrate it together. Sometimes we forget to rediscover the wonder of what God has done. The season of Christmas is just one more chance to be in awe together of the single greatest thing God has done in sending His Son to Earth to reconcile us back to Himself.