5 Family Traditions for a Christ-Centered Christmas
The world is aglow in colorful lights as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Light of the World. Sadly, it’s easy to become so engrossed in the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget why we are celebrating. Perhaps you’d like to help your family celebrate a more Christ-centered Christmas this year.
Let’s look at five family traditions that can help us keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations this year.
5 Family Traditions for a Christ-Centered Christmas
If we want to be more attuned to the wonder of the incarnation, we begin by slowing down.
We stand in awe that the God of all creation bent down to live among us.
He took on flesh and loved us so much that he left heaven’s throne room to dwell among us. The ideas that follow are meant to point back to this powerful reality as we keep Christ at the center this Christmas.
1. For a Christ-centered Christmas, celebrate Advent.
A few years ago, a friend mentioned that her family was enjoying the practice of weekly lighting a candle in anticipation of Christmas.
We were new parents at the time. I was coming off a decade of almost losing the wonder of the Christmas season. I’d been so busy with my career and ministry that there were years I hardly decorated the house.
My friend commented that the simple act of lighting a new candle each week was helping them anticipate a Christ-centered Christmas.
The next year, I spent five dollars on candles and a wreath. Our family began the practice of lighting the Advent candles in our home. We haven’t missed a year since. For a guide to weekly readings, check out this link.
2. Read God’s Word often.
The Book of Common Prayer offers daily Scripture readings throughout the year and the season of Advent. While reading every passage suggested in the guide might be too much for young children, consider reading a small passage daily at the dinner table or before bed.
Another child-friendly resource for Advent reading is Ann Voskamp’s illustrated book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. This book examines the coming of Christ through the lens of God’s Word.
3. Build anticipation with the Jesse Tree story.
The Jesse Tree is the tradition of reading the Old Testament Scriptures leading up to the coming of Christ.
Consider reading these passages with your family.
Allow children to participate by coloring pictures that match each story. Use these pictures to create your own Jesse Tree. This is a great way to incorporate a hands-on activity into your Christ-centered Christmas preparations. Many websites offer Jesse Tree printables and instructions.
4. Visit a live nativity.
Nothing instills wonder like visiting a live nativity.
Children who love animals will enjoy seeing the creatures, and seeing real people reenacting the birth of Jesus will leave a lasting impression.
While there is speculation about the accuracy of some nativity depictions, this is an event that reminds us all of the reason why we celebrate Christmas.
5. Celebrate Christmas as a birthday party for Jesus.
It’s easy to let the thrill of gift opening dominate Christmas morning.
Consider what the day would look like if Jesus were tangibly sitting in your living room.
Some families celebrate his birth by singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles on a cake (or muffins or doughnuts) before opening gifts. This is a fun and healthy way to remind ourselves of the reason for the day.
It’s easy to let the thrill of gift-opening dominate Christmas morning. Consider what the day would look like if Jesus were sitting in your living room. #ChristcenteredChristmas #Christmastraditions Share on XAnother idea is to put an empty straw cradle in the house before Christmas. Place a doll to represent Jesus in the basket on Christmas morning.
Regardless of which activities you choose for your family, the anticipatory attitude of your heart is what matters most. The Incarnation, in which God descended to earth wrapped in flesh, is a wonder and a miracle. May we all keep Christ at the center of our celebrations.
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