Christmas: Celebrating at Home

Written by James Hargrave

What a wonderful time of year! Every church, every Sunday School ministry, plans special events to celebrate Christmas. But Sunday School also affirms the family as the center for biblical guidance. We know that the home is the very best place for children to learn about and understand the true meaning of Christmas.

In the midst of a tremendously busy and often materialistic time of year, take time to plan special experiences for your child. Establish a specific time when you and your family will do some family activities.

Here are several suggestions to help families focus on the lasting joy of the season. Feel free to share this information and make them available to families in your church:

Worship with a Christmas Wreath
One beautiful tradition is that of lighting the candles of an Advent or Christmas wreath. Place four purple or pink candles, and one white candle, within an evergreen wreath. Begin four weeks before Christmas. Light one purple or pink candle each week as you read the suggested Bible readings for that day. Light the white candle on Christmas Eve or day as you pray and thank God for the birth of Jesus.

Use a Nativity Scene
Make or purchase a nativity set. Select a set that is sturdy enough for young fingers to handle and move. Allow the children to move the figures while you read Luke 2:1-20.

Gather Straw for the Manger
Use your nativity scene or make a manger from brown paper. Place the manger where it can be easily seen. Family members may place a piece of straw in the manger for every kind act they do or see another family member do. Place the figure representing Jesus in the manger on Christmas Eve. By that time the manger should be filled with soft straw.

Worship Through Giving
Many children (and adults) get so caught up with the giving and getting of gifts that they sometimes forget whose birthday they are celebrating. Decide as a family on gifts you will give to Jesus. Help your children understand that Jesus does not want bright packages from the mall. Your family's gift for Him might be your love, worship, gratitude, praise, an offering for missions, or an act of ministry. Decide how you will give these gifts.

Sing Christmas Carols
Sing around your Christmas tree. Sing as a part of family worship. Sing while you do the dishes together or as you get ready for bed. Let your children hear "Away in the Manger" more often than a song about a reindeer.

Use the Bible with Your Family
Read the Bible readings suggested in your devotional and Bible study materials. For beginning readers, place a marker in the Bible where the day's verse or passage is found. They may open the Bible to the passage to be read. Ask good readers to read the words.

Memorize the Christmas Story from Luke
Decide as a family to learn Luke 2:1-20. Divide the passage into smaller sections. Each family member can memorize his or her portion of the story. Practice telling the story together. Be sure to help your child understand the meaning of any difficult words.

James Hargrave is Editor-in-Chief Family Bible Study for Younger Children, in the Childhood Ministry Department at LifeWay Church Resources, and teaches younger children at First Baptist Church, Franklin, Tennessee.

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