Celebrating Christ at Christmas
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Children love the Christmas season and for good reason. It is the time of year when people have a little more joy and of course there are the toys, Christmas tree, cookies, and if they are lucky they get to roll around in the snow. The stores are bustling with frantic shoppers trying to find the perfect gift and houses on every corner are lit. Yes, the Christmas season is a great time of the year for old and young to enjoy. However, are we teaching our children the real reason that we celebrate Christmas? Do they realize the special meaning behind the celebration? Christmas means more to Christians than opening gifts and baking cookies, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior who came to earth to die for our sins. I love sitting around the tree and having a cup of cocoa with my daughter and I find immense joy in watching her little face light up at all the gifts under the tree, but it is more important that she understands why we celebrate Christmas.
I read an interesting article by one of my favorite bloggers about consumerism and Christmas. In the article she states that is our job as a parent and a Christian to instill in our children the true meaning of Christmas and I agree wholeheartedly. We need to spend more time reflecting on Christ during this special time of the year and teaching our children that gifts are not the center of the Christmas holiday. I am not saying that we can’t do the decorating, baking, and gift giving, but more so this year let us focus on Jesus.
There are many ways in which we can get our children’s attention on Christ instead of the new Barbie or Nintendo game.
Here are a few ideas to bring Jesus back into Christmas:
Giving Thanks to Christ
My daughter and I have a ritual in the morning. We always start our morning by thanking God for the day. It is a wonderful way for your day to begin with gratefulness. It also reminds us that the day is a gift to be thankful for. I suggest during the Christmas season at dinner after the prayer, asking everyone why they are thankful that Jesus Christ was born. This is a way to reflect on Christ’s love and God’s gift to us.
Read the Story of the Birth of Jesus Christ
All children love to be read Christmas stories, such as, “The Night Before Christmas,” and I love them too, but make sure you incorporate reading the story about the birth of Jesus Christ. After you read it talk about the admirable characteristics of Mary, Joseph, and the wise men. Some godly characteristics to discuss are the faith and obedience that Mary and Joseph had in God. Discuss how important these characteristics are in their own life. Talk about how that special night was so important to Christians and how the baby Jesus would be our Savior.
Build A Nativity Scene
Nativity scenes are a great way for children to have fun while learning about the birth of Jesus Christ. Gather the family around, make some cocoa, put on some spiritual Christmas carols and build your nativity scene. Reflect with your children on how that night must have been when our Savior was born.
Adopt a Servant’s Heart
Jesus Christ was a servant. He had fellowship with his people and served them with kindness and love. What better way to honor Christ then to adopt his characteristics? This year get your children involved in serving. Whether it is at a shelter, church, or preparing cookies for a nursing home teach them about having a servant’s heart. While they are serving remind them of how Christ served others with a giving heart.
The important thing is to establish a sense of tradition that makes Jesus Christ the focus of Christmas. It is our responsibility to give our children the real story of why we celebrate. Children are bombarded with consumerism, but we have control of how each one of us celebrates the Christmas holiday. I want my daughter to have fun and watch Frosty but I also want her to know that God gave us a gift when Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in the manger. Start a tradition that honors Jesus, celebrate the month giving praise and thanks while reflecting on the true meaning of this blessed holiday. Teach your children that the joy of Christmas is about celebrating the life of Christ.
Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved