(~Keeping Jesus at the Center of Christmas for Children : This post is in partnership with ZonderKidz but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more on this, please refer to my Privacy + Disclosure statement.~)

Raising Christian children in a world that feels like it is gradually declining in morals is a challenge. It can sometimes feel like an uphill battle with so many situations our children can encounter that we did not as children. With Christmas around the corner, I wanted to share how we keep the focus of the season on Jesus.  With a world that throws gifts, Santa and magic at you for 25 days straight, it is so important to bring your children’s focus back to Jesus. Yes, we allow things that might not be found in the Luke 2 Christmas story, but let me share how!

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52

Keeping Jesus at the Center of Christmas for Children

 

1.  Jesus is the reason for the season.

Our children have very moldable minds. They aren’t born into this world thinking that Santa is real and Christmas exists for him. They are taught what is true and why we celebrate holidays. Jesus isn’t the boring answer of the season compared to gifts falling down your chimney from a man dressed in red; Jesus is the HOPE of the season and our lives. When we teach our children these concepts and lessons at a young age this is what they will grow up with. Zonderkidz has a wonderful collection of Bible-based resources to help you teach your children about Jesus’ birth.

My favorite is The Beginner’s Bible  which is hands down our favorite children’s Bible. I grew up with it and now my children have been reading it for a couple years (in fact Hadley sleeps with hers every night!). The pictures are colorful and simple. The wording is easy for the kids to understand while still holding true to each Bible story. Every night we read them a different story and both kids can recite back to you the story of David and Goliath. For the Advent season we will be focusing more on the Christmas Story with them.

 

2. Christ-focused Activities.

There are so many ways to do Advent with your children.  What I think is most important is that you do it. Kids love doing something out of the ordinary and having activities to do daily. Use these 25 days to focus on the anticipation of Christ’s birth. There are great Nativity sets for kids, activity books, and even books for babies. (See below for a full linked list of products!)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  

3. Decide ahead of time what is allowed.

My belief has been that if my husband and I can instill the importance of Christ’s birth and focus the season around him, that allowing certain other events is OK. We allow Christmas movies that are just holiday themed in the house. Santa is just a story figure in our home and our children know their gifts come from family and friends. Baking is huge this time of year and we always make a big deal of cutting down a Christmas tree at a local tree farm.

4. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas.

It is tradition in our family to bake Jesus a birthday cake and sing to him every December 25th. Growing up this was fun to do but as an adult now thinking about it, I realize the importance. This simple act helps us remember that this day isn’t just about giving gifts to family members and singing Christmas carols. It is celebrating the life of Jesus, the one who came to save our lives.

5. Books, books, books.

We have a special set of Christmas books that come out of our basement every December. The kids LOVE it because it feels like a gift of new items that they’ve forgotten about the last 11 months. While there is a mixture of fictional holiday books in there, we also have books that focus the season back to Jesus. Here are a couple (and then some!):

• Little Lamb’s Christmas ( a puppet book for babies and toddlers)
• The Very First Christmas  (the Christmas story taken from The Beginner’s Bible)
• Jesus is Born (an I Can Read! book for emerging readers)
• Christmas Sticker and Activity Book  (so many games and activities!)
• The Beginner’s Bible Gift Edition: Timeless Children’s Stories ( a beautiful Bible edition!)
• Learn Your Letters (This is great ALL year round!)
• For a complete list of resources from The Beginner’s Bible you can head here

I hope these tips help you keep you and your family focused on the birth of our Lord and the Savior of the world. What is one way you plan on keeping Jesus at the center of Christmas for your children?

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him,  who believed in his name,  he gave the right  to become  children of God, who were born,  not of blood  nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of  grace and  truth. John 1:9-14