Parents—Help Your Kids Discover the Real Christmas

Parents—Help Your Kids Discover the Real Christmas Christmas! The word itself stirs feelings of extraordinary excitement. And rightly so. Everywhere there are reminders of the holiday season. But let’s be sure our children know what the excitement is really about. How can parents help a young child realize that Christmas is a celebration of gratitude to God for His wonderful gift of love? Here are suggestions for ways you can make the biblical and spiritual aspects of Christmas meaningful to your kids: 1. Help your children know the simple facts of Jesus’ birth as they are recorded in Scripture. Read the story of the first Christmas to your child from Bible storybooks or from an easy-to-understand version of the Bible. Visit your Christian bookstore and choose books and/or videos that will appeal to your child. 2. Help your child feel that Jesus is God’s best gift. Remember that much of a child’s response is a reflection of the attitudes he or she sees at home (or at church!). Nurture feelings of joy, love and thankfulness in your child. Avoid (as much as possible) the hurry and busyness of Christmas that makes a young child feel alone or “left out.” In the presence of your child, give thanks to God for Jesus. Include your child in family plans for expressing love to Jesus by caring and loving others. (Make cookies for elderly relatives or those at a nursing home. Send cards to friends. Plan surprises for grandparents. Take canned goods or personal care items to a rescue mission, etc.). 3. Help your child express joy, excitement and feelings of love. Include your child in making Christmas decorations, foods, gifts and cards for family members and friends. Show gladness to your child as you sing the songs of Christmas. Find out and learn the songs your child is learning at church so you can sing them together at home. Be sensitive to moments when it’s natural to talk about God and encourage your child to talk to God with praise and thanksgiving. 4. Keep Santa in the proper perspective. Avoid referring to Santa as a real person. (Explain that Santa legends may be based on a real St. Nicholas who loved God and gave generously to the poor. A useful phrase is, ”Talking about Santa is fun, and it’s even better to talk about Jesus who loves us all year long!”) Avoid the “What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?” and “Be good for Santa” emphases. Bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Children will understand that because Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, there should be a cake! Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and plan together what your family can give Him for a gift.   Content adapted from Gospel Light’s Sunday School Smart Pages.