With the excitement of opening presents, attending Christmas parties, decorating Christmas cookies, driving around to look at lights, it’s easy to forget the miracle that Christmas is. How do you help your kids understand the meaning of Christmas? How do you help your kids keep Christ at the center of Christmas?
How do you talk to your kids about Christmas?
• Start with Prayer
As parents, you have the privilege of shaping the hearts and minds of your children and their view of God. The Spirit has been bringing people to faith and raising them up in the faith since the beginning of the world; and He wants to do the same for your kids. You have the joy of partnering with Him in this process as your kids grow to love God. This responsibility can seem overwhelming but remind yourself of 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
Pray that God would give you wisdom and patience as you share the Christmas Story with your kids. Pray that your kids would grow in their knowledge of God by inciting wonder and provoking discovery. Pray that your kids would grow in their love and passion for God during the Christmas season.
• Read the Christmas Story
Take time to read through Luke 1-2 together as a family all month long, not just on Christmas. Repetition is a critical component to learning and understanding at a young age. You can read at the dinner table, before bedtime or any time that isn’t rushed. A good version to read is the New International Readers Version or from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Ask your kids to tell the story back to you in their own words. You can use nativity sets as a visual to help tell the story.
• Share the Gospel
Jesus was a baby in the manger, but He is also the risen King seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. He is fully man and fully God. He is Immanuel “God with us” and He came to give His life on the cross to save and redeem us from our sins. This was a promise from God that was fulfilled through Jesus.
There is power in God’s Word. They may be little, wiggle around and interrupt you but remember that you are planting seeds, and it doesn’t fall on deaf ears. When you share with your kids throughout the year, you are building a foundation of faith.
• Create traditions for your family
We are creatures of habit and often do things because “that’s how we have always done it”. Evaluate why you do what you do during the holiday and think about how it leads you to admiration of what God did for us. As parents, you get to establish traditions and define your family culture.
o Look for ways to serve together as a family.
o Talk about how you can invite friends, family, and neighbors to church and experience the joy of Christmas with you.
o Read an Advent devotional together as a family each day leading up to Christmas Day.
• Leverage the “small” moments
God created you to be the primary spiritual leader of your children — your kids are watching, listening and growing in the ways you lead them. The more you talk about the things of God in your home, the more you all grow in your relationship with Him.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” God’s Word highlights the importance of leveraging the small moments; the school pick-up line, the dinner table, the bedtime routine to share the Gospel with your kids.
Marvel at the glory of God this Christmas season – He is worthy and deserving of it all.
Resources:
o Jesus Storybook Bible
o The Christmas Promise | Children's Book (age 3-6)
o The Christmas Promise Advent Calendar | Family Devotional Book (age 5-11)
o Sounding Joy | Children's Book (age 2-7)
o Kids Read Truth | Story & Scripture Book