Let’s be honest. Christmas – in our culture – has gotten quite consumeristic. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not against the decorations or the lights or the presents. I love this season. It’s just that we’ve often made it more about us than we have about Jesus.
So, how do we teach our children about the real meaning of Christmas? Well, you’re doing it by sharing the goods news of Jesus in your ministry! But here are five ways your families can help their children understand why Christmas is worth celebrating.
Watch Christ-Centered Christmas Movies
Who doesn’t love Christmas movies? I know I do.
Confession. The Muppets Family Christmas is my all-time favorite. We’ve watched it every year since I was five years old (so maybe it’s my favorite for nostalgic reasons).
But there are so many amazing Christmas movies that are fun and focus on Jesus.
Here are some suggestions.
*Honestly, there are half a dozen or more Veggie Tales movies on Christmas and they’re all awesome.
Read the Christmas Story Together
You don’t need to relegate this to a single day, though. Invest in a couple of Christ-centered Christmas books for children and read them through one at a time. Read short portions of the Christmas story straight from the Bible together.
Take Them Christmas Shopping
I know, I know. It is way easier to get your Christmas shopping done without the kids in tow. But let them participate. Let them give their opinion on what to get for your loved ones and take their suggestions.
Let your kids be part of it. Teach them that Jesus gave us the best gift ever. Teach them that we give gifts to one another as a way of remembering the gift God gave us. Teach them to think about and consider others the way He thought about and considered us.
Tell Them About St. Nicholas
If you do Santa in your home (or even if you don’t), take a couple of minutes to learn about Saint Nicholas. He’s the basis of our Santa tradition – but he was a real person. He was a devout Christian and enormously generous. He gave because he’d been given so much by Jesus. So, spend a couple of minutes searching the story of Saint Nicholas, then share what you learn with your children.
Put Together a Nativity Scene
I don’t know about you, but I grew up with a beautiful – and fragile – nativity set. We were allowed to play with it, but let’s just say we’re down to two wise men.
So, get a child-friendly nativity set (see also our Gingerbread Bash experience) so that your kiddos can practice retelling the Christmas story.
Here are a couple of options:
Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity to serve and support your families this Christmas as they seek to share the good news of Jesus with their children. You have your role and they have theirs. Part of your role is to support their role. I hope you’ll share this list with them. (Send them this link.)
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