I remember certain Christmas traditions vividly- my two favorites were candlelight Christmas Eve services and opening one gift that night before bed. I love those memories, but as a kid, I never truly grasped the importance of why we celebrated the birth of Christ.
I wasn’t raised in a Christian home, so in raising our kids, we have tried various things to help our kids know Christmas isn’t just about gifts and pretty lights, but about celebrating the birth of the Savior we all need to save us from our sins.
Here are a few things we do to help our children truly grasp the meaning of Christmas.
Kid-friendly Nativity set: There are many great sets made for kids. Our favorite is the Little People set. Even my 7-year old loves to get that set out and re-enact the Christmas story. “Show” the kids through pretend play how Mary and Joseph came to the Inn, the birth of Jesus, the star and its meaning, the shepherds and the 3 kings. Now that my kids are getting older, I also have a Nativity set that they are allowed to handle but it is more realistic- it’s made by Fontanini and very resilient but also incredibly beautiful.
Advent Calendar: We heighten the anticipation with advent calendars. There are several focused on Christ’s birth. We purchased one called the Nativity Advent Calendar from Christianbook.com. We use the story of Luke to guide us as we place each animal, person, angel, star, etc. on the calendar each day. On the 25th, we complete the nativity scene.
The Gift of Giving: We remind our kids that Christmas is about giving. We love filling shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child as well as participating in Angel Tree at church (purchasing a gift through the Salvation Army, Prison Ministries, etc). Although I normally do not like shopping with my kids, I do bring them along to help me with this shopping. We remind the kids that we are shopping for someone else and will not buy something for them during that trip. We show them the DVD we received from Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child) to see where the shoeboxes go and the conditions others live in. It helps our kids see the way their gifts touch others’ lives and that they are truly blessed. We are always sure to explain that their gifts given with a joyful heart glorify God.
There are many great ways to serving at soup kitchens, donating to food pantries, etc. Just be sure to let your little one(s) in on the action and explain why you’re doing it.
Services at Church: Church services are always amazing during the Christmas season. Whether it’s the services leading up to Christmas, a Christmas Eve service, or a service on Christmas Day, it’s good for your kids to see and experience the special music and teachings. If your little ones are too young to be a part of the service in its entirety, try letting your toddler be a part of some of the singing. I remember our son when he was very small- he sat silent and still in wonder as he soaked in all the music. That of course only lasted a short time- once the music was over he was a wiggly worm! Even just a song or two can help your little one experience the uniqueness of these services.
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