The holiday season is here! It’s a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but it’s also easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and planning. With all the distractions, it can be challenging to keep the true meaning of Christmas—celebrating the birth of Jesus—at the forefront of your family’s celebrations. But it’s possible to make Christmas about more than just presents and parties. You can create a Christ-centered Christmas that brings your family closer to the heart of the holiday and focuses on Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
If you’re wondering how to do this with young kids in tow, no worries! Here are some simple, fun, and meaningful ways to celebrate the birth of our Savior while building lasting family traditions.
Advent is a season of waiting and preparing for the birth of Jesus. It’s a great way to help kids understand the significance of Christmas before the big day arrives. You can celebrate Advent as a family by reading daily Bible passages that tell the story of Jesus’ birth.
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This practice can make waiting for Christmas fun and spiritual, turning the days leading up to Jesus’ birthday into a time of reflection.
The most important part of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. Gather your kids around the tree or at the dinner table and read the story from the Bible (Luke 2:1-20). If you have younger children, you can use a children’s Bible or even a picture book that retells the nativity story.
Tip: Act out the story with your kids! You can make simple costumes—Mary, Joseph, shepherds, or wise men—and have fun reenacting the nativity scene. This can make the story come alive and help your kids connect with the meaning of Christmas.
Another option I love this Abeka First Christmas Flash-a-Card! Shares the Christmas story with beautiful photos!
Christmas is often all about what we get, but Jesus’ birth is a reminder that the true joy of Christmas comes from giving. Teach your kids the importance of giving by doing something kind for others.
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When your family focuses on giving, it brings everyone back to the heart of the holiday—Jesus, who gave the greatest gift of all.
Music is a huge part of Christmas, and carols are a fun way to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Singing together as a family not only creates beautiful memories but also helps reinforce the meaning of the season. Many classic Christmas carols are hymns that tell the story of Jesus’ birth, like “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” or “Away in a Manger.”
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As you decorate your home for Christmas, think about how you can incorporate elements that remind your family of the reason for the season. It doesn’t have to be complicated—small reminders scattered throughout your home can make a big impact.
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On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, you’ll likely sit down for a family meal. Use this time to reflect on what Christmas is really about. After you’ve prayed and before you dive into the food, talk about why Jesus came to earth.
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Many Christmas traditions can point us back to Christ. For example, the star on top of the tree represents the star that led the wise men to Jesus, and gifts remind us of the gifts the wise men brought.
Talk to your kids about the symbolism behind the traditions you celebrate, and use them as opportunities to reflect on Christ’s birth.
Finally, make prayer a central part of your Christmas celebration. Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, and pray for the needs of others. Prayer helps refocus your hearts and minds on Christ, and it’s a great way to bond as a family while celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Tip: Lead your kids in a simple prayer on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve, thanking God for the greatest gift of all—Jesus.
Christmas is more than just a holiday—it’s a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, who brought love, hope, and peace into the world. By making intentional choices to focus on Jesus, your family can create meaningful traditions that help everyone remember the true meaning of Christmas.
This holiday season, let’s shift our focus away from the rush and consumerism, and instead, center our hearts and homes around the love of Christ. In doing so, we can give our kids a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about—celebrating the incredible gift of Jesus.
How do you celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas in your family? Share your ideas in the comments below!
