Keeping Christ in Christmas

It seems that every year, department stores begin putting up Christmas decorations earlier. As soon as October in some places, battery-operated dancing Santas pop up at every corner and for children, the focus of Christmas doesn’t always remain on the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s wonderful to let kids enjoy all the magic of the season, but as their role models, it’s our responsibility to make sure they learn why we truly celebrate every December. If you’re struggling to find fun ways to keep Christ in Christmas for your kiddos, read on for some of our favorite traditions.

1. When decorating your home, always put up a Nativity. Christmas lights and trees are beautiful, but setting up the Nativity scene serves as the perfect conversation starter. You can explain each person’s role in the Christmas story as you set up!
2. Don’t skip church on Christmas morning. All kids want to do when they wake up is open their presents, but going to church beforehand is a great reminder that Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the birth of Jesus. 
3. Everyone loves a good Christmas classic – Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and more, are great films to watch as a family with cookies and hot chocolate. If your family enjoys watching Christmas classics together, make sure to include those that are faith-based. The Little Drummer Boy is a great one!

Christmas is a celebration of God loving us so much that he sent Jesus to be born for us, as one of us, and change the world through people just like us. What a beautiful act of love. A tiny baby born in a manger would radically change everything forever – that little baby saved us all.