· Christian Parenting · 5 min read
7 Powerful Ways to Make Jesus the Heart of Your Family's Christmas Celebration
Discover 7 impactful strategies to center Jesus in your family's Christmas celebration. Cultivate faith, unity, and joy with these practical tips.
7 Powerful Ways to Make Jesus the Heart of Your Family’s Christmas Celebration
Christmas is a time of joy, love, and celebration for Christians around the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and the significance of His presence in our lives. As Christian parents, it is essential to make Jesus the heart of our family’s Christmas celebration, ensuring that our children understand the true meaning of this special season. Here are seven powerful ways to accomplish this:
1. Embrace Advent as a Family Tradition
Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation leading up to the birth of Jesus. Incorporating Advent traditions into your family’s Christmas celebration can help create a sense of expectation and purpose. Consider lighting an Advent wreath each week, reading scripture passages related to the birth of Christ, and engaging in meaningful discussions about the significance of Jesus’ coming. This intentional focus on Advent will help your family keep Jesus at the center of the season.
According to Andy Frost, CEO of Share Jesus International, “Advent is a beautiful time for families to come together and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. By engaging in Advent traditions, parents can cultivate a sense of anticipation and build excitement about the birth of Christ.”
2. Read and Reflect on the Nativity Story
The story of Jesus’ birth is at the heart of Christmas. Take time as a family to read and reflect on the nativity story found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Encourage your children to ask questions and share their thoughts about the characters, events, and messages conveyed in the story. By engaging in this activity, you can deepen their understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ birth.
In his book “Teaching Kids About Jesus: Essentials of Christian Family Values,” author Tim Kimmel emphasizes the importance of reading and reflecting on the nativity story. He states, “By immersing ourselves in the story of Jesus’ birth, we can better understand the miracle of His incarnation and the profound love God has for us.”
3. Participate in Service and Giving
Christmas is a time of giving, mirroring God’s ultimate gift of Jesus to humanity. Engage your family in acts of service and generosity that reflect the love of Christ. Volunteer together at a local charity, donate gifts or food to those in need, or participate in a community service project. By practicing these acts of kindness, you teach your children the importance of serving others and living out their faith in tangible ways.
Focus on the Family, an organization dedicated to providing Christian parenting advice, suggests involving kids in service activities. They state, “When kids have opportunities to serve alongside adults who share their values, they develop a sense of community and a strong personal identity in their faith.”
4. Create Christ-Centered Crafts and Decorations
Get creative with your family by making Christ-centered crafts and decorations that symbolize the true meaning of Christmas. Create an Advent calendar with daily scripture verses, make ornaments that depict different aspects of the nativity story, or craft a centerpiece that incorporates symbols of Jesus’ birth. These hands-on activities provide opportunities for meaningful conversations about the significance of Jesus’ presence in your lives.
Debbie Kolacki, author of “Equipping Families to Teach the Faith to their Children,” emphasizes the value of creating Christ-centered crafts and decorations. She states, “These visual reminders help children connect with the story of Jesus’ birth and keep His presence at the forefront of our Christmas celebrations.”
5. Attend Church Services and Worship Together
Make attending church services a central part of your family’s Christmas celebration. Encourage your children to participate actively in worship, including singing carols, listening to sermons focused on Jesus’ birth, and engaging in prayer. By immersing yourselves in a community of believers, you strengthen your family’s connection to the larger body of Christ and reinforce the significance of Jesus’ birth.
In their book “Parenting,” Focus on the Family highlights the importance of attending church with your children. They state, “Regular church attendance exposes kids to biblical teachings, worship, and fellowship with other believers. It provides an opportunity to draw closer to God as a family.”
6. Incorporate Scripture into Christmas Traditions
Integrate scripture readings into your family’s Christmas traditions to infuse them with the Word of God. For example, before opening gifts, take turns reading passages that remind you of God’s love and the gift of Jesus. Alternatively, you can write down scripture verses on slips of paper and place them in a jar for each family member to pull out and reflect on throughout the day. By incorporating scripture, you emphasize the spiritual significance of Christmas.
According to a national study on effective Christian education conducted by Protestant Congregations, “Settings where the whole family is present or where parents are available while children are involved in an activity offer an opportunity to teach and discuss scripture effectively.”
7. Foster a Spirit of Gratitude and Thankfulness
Christmas is a time to express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness within your family by encouraging each member to share what they are grateful for during mealtime or devotional moments. Expressing gratitude helps shift the focus from materialistic desires to appreciating God’s goodness and grace.
In their book “Building Strong Foundations: Instilling Faith and Values in Your Children,” authors state, “Teaching children to be thankful helps them develop a humble and grateful heart, recognizing that everything they have comes from God.”
By implementing these powerful ways to make Jesus the heart of your family’s Christmas celebration, you can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the true meaning of this special season. Remember that Christmas is not just about gifts and decorations; it is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and embracing His message of love, hope, and salvation. May your family’s Christmas be filled with joy, peace, and the presence of Jesus.
