Teaching children the biblical meaning of Christmas is about nurturing their faith and ensuring they understand the true gift of the season. It’s about planting seeds of truth that will grow throughout their lives. As parents and caregivers, we have the precious opportunity to help our children see beyond the tinsel and wrapping paper to discover the profound miracle at the heart of Christmas: God’s gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Keeping Christ at the Center: Practical Family Traditions

Here are some practical ways families can keep Christ at the heart of their children’s Christmas experience:

1. Read the Christmas Story Directly from the Bible

Daily Readings: Begin reading sections of the Christmas story from the Bible each day during Advent. Use a children’s Bible translation if it helps them understand the language, but always refer back to the actual Scripture. Focus on Luke 1:26-38 (the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary), Luke 2:1-20 (the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the shepherds), and Matthew 2:1-12 (the Magi visiting Jesus).

Emphasize Key Themes: As you read, highlight concepts like God’s great love for us (John 3:16), the fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2), Jesus as our Savior who came to rescue us from sin (Matthew 1:21), and the humility of Jesus’ birth (Philippians 2:6-7).

2. Engage with a Nativity Scene

Interactive Nativity: Set up a Nativity scene that children can touch and play with. Instead of placing all figures out at once, introduce them gradually throughout Advent. Start with Mary and Joseph journeying, add the shepherds and angels, and finally, place Baby Jesus on Christmas morning. Discuss each character’s role and what they represent in the story.

Nativity Crafts: Create simple Nativity crafts together using paper plates, toilet paper rolls, or play-dough. This hands-on activity reinforces the story and makes it memorable for young minds.

3. Focus on Giving and Service

Reverse Advent Calendar: Instead of receiving, have children place one item (food, toy, clothing) into a box each day of Advent to donate to a charity or family in need. This teaches them about generosity and compassion.

“Birthday Gifts for Jesus”: Help children identify ways they can give “gifts” to Jesus. These could be acts of kindness, promises to grow in a certain character trait, or serving others. Explain that these actions honor Him.

Volunteer Together: If age-appropriate, volunteer as a family at a local shelter, food bank, or community event. Witnessing service firsthand can be profoundly impactful.

4. Incorporate Worship and Music

Meaningful Carols: Sing traditional Christmas carols together and discuss the lyrics. Many carols are rich in theological truth and tell the story of Christ’s birth beautifully. For example, explain how “Joy to the World” speaks of Christ’s reign and blessing.

Prayer: Lead worship-led prayers as a family, thanking God for the gift of Jesus. Encourage children to share what they are thankful for. You can also incorporate intercessory prayer, praying for those who don’t know the true meaning of Christmas.

5. “Happy Birthday Jesus” Celebration

Christmas Morning Cake: On Christmas morning, after opening gifts, gather to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and enjoy a special treat. This simple tradition powerfully reorients the day around Him.

Story Time with Cake: While eating the cake, reread the birth narrative from Luke 2 and remind everyone why we celebrate.

By consistently integrating these practices, you’ll help your children understand that Christmas is far more than just presents and Santa Claus; it is the celebration of God’s greatest gift to humanity, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Recommended Resources for Teaching Young Children

Introducing young children to the story of Jesus’ birth in an engaging and age-appropriate way can lay a beautiful foundation for their faith. Here are some wonderful resources:

Picture Books for Young Children

These books simplify the narrative while maintaining biblical accuracy and a reverent tone:

The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection by Sally Lloyd-Jones – This shorter, focused collection beautifully connects the birth of Jesus to God’s bigger story of salvation, showing how all of Scripture points to Him. The language is poetic, and the illustrations are captivating.

A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough – This book focuses on the sounds of the first Christmas, making it interactive and engaging for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps children imagine the events of that night.

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell – This book explains the birth of Jesus by highlighting God’s promises throughout the Old Testament and how they were fulfilled in Christ. It’s excellent for connecting the larger biblical narrative.

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren – Part of a popular series, this book explores the meaning of Christmas through a conversation between a polar bear cub and his mama, explaining why we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell – This gentle story focuses on the kindness and hospitality shown to Mary and Joseph by the animals in the stable, leading up to the arrival of Jesus. It teaches empathy and highlights the humble circumstances of His birth.

Interactive Resources and Activities

Beyond books, engaging children through hands-on activities can significantly deepen their understanding:

Interactive Nativity Sets: A child-friendly Nativity set (wooden, plastic, or plush) that children can touch, arrange, and play with is invaluable. It allows them to reenact the story and internalize the characters and events.

Bible Story Videos: Many reputable children’s ministries offer animated videos of the Christmas story. Look for those that stay true to the biblical account. Always review them first to ensure theological alignment.

Christmas Story Craft Kits: Simple crafts, like making paper plate angels, stable scenes, or decorating “star of Bethlehem” ornaments, can reinforce the story elements in a fun, creative way.

Age-Appropriate Advent Calendars: Look for Advent calendars that feature the biblical story, where each day reveals a piece of the Nativity or a scripture verse leading up to Christmas Day.

When choosing resources, always look for those that uphold the inerrancy of Scripture and clearly present Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior, rather than just a historical figure. The goal is to celebrate the profound truth of John 1:14: “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.”

Navigating Santa Claus and Secular Traditions

Navigating the joyful secular traditions of Christmas, like Santa Claus, alongside the profound biblical truth of Jesus’ birth requires wisdom and intentionality. Here’s how parents can approach this conversation with grace and clarity:

1. Establish Jesus as the Real Reason

Prioritize the Biblical Story: Long before discussions about Santa, ensure your children understand the biblical account of Jesus’ birth as the real and most important part of Christmas. Read the stories from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 often, emphasizing that this is a historical event, God’s plan, and the ultimate gift.

Luke 2:10-11 reminds us: “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

Emphasize God’s Love: Explain that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born and ultimately save us from our sins. This is the central message. John 3:16 declares: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

2. Introduce Santa as a “Fun Story” or “Make-Believe”

Clarify Reality vs. Imagination: When children ask about Santa, you can explain that he is a “fun story,” a “game,” or “make-believe” that many people enjoy during Christmas. You can say, “Santa is a wonderful tradition that helps us celebrate the spirit of giving and joy, but the true story of Christmas is about Baby Jesus.”

Connect to Giving: Explain that the idea of Santa giving gifts comes from the spirit of generosity, which is a Christian value. You can mention Saint Nicholas, a real historical figure known for his generosity, as the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition.

3. Focus on the Spirit of Giving

God as the Ultimate Giver: Teach that God is the ultimate giver of good gifts (James 1:17), and Jesus is His greatest gift.

Our Joy in Giving: Encourage children to participate in giving to others. Explain that when we give gifts, we are reflecting God’s generous heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“Being Santa” for Others: As children get older and understand more, you can invite them into the “secret” of “being Santa” for others, participating in the joy of giving anonymously or contributing to charities.

4. Age-Appropriate Conversations

Young Children (Toddlers-Preschool): Focus on the wonder of Jesus’ birth. Santa can be a fun, harmless element. At this age, the distinction between real and make-believe isn’t fully developed, so emphasize the reality of Jesus more than debunking Santa.

Elementary Age: This is often when questions become more pointed. Be honest and gentle. Explain that Santa is a lovely tradition, but the true miracle is Jesus. Reassure them that the joy of Christmas is not diminished by knowing the truth about Santa; in fact, it deepens the appreciation for the real reason.

Continual Reinforcement: Regardless of age, continually bring the conversation back to the central message: Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His coming brought hope, peace, and salvation.

Conclusion: Planting Seeds of Eternal Truth

By being clear, honest, and consistently prioritizing the biblical narrative, parents can help their children understand both the fun of cultural traditions and the eternal truth of Christ’s incarnation. Christmas is ultimately about God breaking into human history in the most humble and beautiful way, offering us the gift of salvation through His Son.

As you celebrate this season with your family, remember that every nativity scene placed, every carol sung, every act of service, and every conversation about Jesus plants seeds of faith that will bear fruit for eternity. May your Christmas be filled with the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us.