Be still and Be Christmas

At this time of the year there is so much to compete with our celebration of the real Christmas. As parents we run ourselves ragged creating the perfect celebration with gifts, baking, visits, and daily antics for the elf on the shelf. It can be easy to forget why we celebrate. 

Here are several simple things to help you and your children celebrate the wonder of His birth.

If you have a nativity or crèche, use the pieces to tell your children the Christmas story. Tell them the story each day at supper or bedtime. Even preschool age children are old enough to begin to understand the story as it is told in Luke chapter 2. Let them become familiar with these words so they recognize them when they hear them in church.

Find an inexpensive nativity set and let them play with it as they learn to tell you the story.

After your children get good at telling the story of Jesus birth, send a video clip of them to relatives as a video Christmas card.

Sing a favorite Christmas hymn each time you ride in the car. Your children will soon become familiar with these precious songs.

Plan on Christmas worship, not just for the opportunity to wear fancy Christmas clothes, but to worship together as a family soaking up the story of Christ's birth.  Sit close to the front and whisper the story in your child’s ear as the service progresses. 

When we stop the season's busyness long enough to focus on the Christ Child we can teach our children an important faith lesson. No matter what the world does with Christmas we will focus on the precious little One who came to save us from our sins.

 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. Luke 2:10-11