Even before the leaves begin to change colors, store displays are filled with twinkling lights and artificial
Christmas trees. But where is Christ? Here are some ideas you can do as a family to help keep your family’s
focus on Christ this Christmas:
- During the Christmas season, intentionally decrease the emphasis on presents to focus on Jesus’
presence.
- Celebrate the 12 days before Christmas by having the family concentrate each day on a particular name
of Christ such as Alpha and Omega, Bread of Life, Bright and Morning Star, Emmanuel, Good
Shepherd, Word of Life, etc.
- During December, memorize Bible passages that relate to the birth of Jesus. One example is Luke 2:
11, “For Remember those who have lost loved ones and are grieving during the holidays. Send some
flowers or a card to their homes, invite them over for dinner, or give a memorial in the loved one’s honor.
- Set up your Nativity and have a basket filled with pine straw or hay nearby. Encourage everyone to honor
Christ during the Christmas holidays through secret acts of kindness and mercy. After someone “gives a
gift to Jesus” by being kind and thoughtful, he/she can secretly place a piece of pine straw or hay on the
manger floor. On Christmas morning, the figure of Baby Jesus will be placed in the manger—resting on
the bed that family members made as they remembered the real reason for the season.
- On Christmas morning, read Luke 2:1-20. Encourage the children to act out these verses later in the day
as a family play.
- Cut stars out of cardboard and help the children decorate them with glitter. Then punch a hole in each
star and attach ribbon. In December, periodically ask one of the children to hang an ornament on a
small, table-top Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, either an older child or parent could read a few
Scriptures about light or stars.
- Discuss why Jesus is called the Light of the World.
- Take the children to the baby department of a store. Look at all of the baby clothes and paraphernalia.
Later that day read Luke 2:7, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn.” (NIV) Explain what the cloths
were and help the children compare how baby Jesus was dressed on Christmas Day to the items in the
for babies in department stores.
- Save Christmas cards and pray for those who sent the cards throughout the new year. You might want to
send loved ones notes during the year telling them that you prayed for them.
- After older children research the origins of favorite Christmas hymns, ask them to share their findings
with the entire family. Then spend an evening singing these hymns together.
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