8 Ways to Emphasize Christ This Christmas

1. Place a Nativity Scene at the Foot of Your Tree

I was born a Southern Baptist girl, but when I met my now-husband, I was introduced to a few Catholic traditions his grandparents honored. His Grandma and Pop would place a nativity scene at the foot of their Christmas tree as a beautiful reminder that no matter what store-bought or handmade gifts we craft with human hands, the greatest gift will always be Jesus and the hope He delivered. 

2. Participate in The Giving Manger Tradition

This year, I discovered The Giving Manger book at Hobby Lobby, but it came with a family activity meant to become an annual tradition. The set includes a wooden manger, a baby Jesus, and a pack of straw. As the book beautifully shares, each time a family member does something kind in the Christmas season, they add a piece of straw to Jesus’ manger. This reminds us that just as Jesus came to earth to pour out His love for us, we can pour out our love for Him by serving others.

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3. Playing Christmas Hymns to Start Each Day

One of my favorite childhood memories is my mom playing soft classical music while we got ready for school. It was a quiet way to begin the day, even if we knew things were going to be hectic. At Christmastime, my mom played soft Christmas hymns, naturally easing us into worship. 

Hymns are lyrically and musically stunning, so what better way to start your family’s mornings through the holiday season than by softly playing songs like “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”? 

Set the right spiritual tone for each day by beginning it with the message of Christ’s light, hope, and life. 

4. Implement an Advent Devotional into Your Daily Schedule 

My son is only two, but I wanted to start an Advent tradition with him this year. I purchased Advent Cards for Little Hearts, sold by The Daily Grace Co. They are age-appropriate, introducing the true meaning of the season in a beautiful way that a two-year-old can grasp. We read a few of these cards each evening, and I ask him to repeat the new words he has learned, like “Jesus,” “Praise,” “Bethlehem,” etc. It’s so rewarding for my mama heart to see my little guy celebrating the coming of the Savior!

There are countless Advent studies and activity books for families with children of all ages, so find what works for your family and incorporate this evening tradition into your holiday rhythm. 

(And don’t worry—some nights are the trenches with kiddos, so don’t obsess over the “every night” aspect to the extent that the Advent devotional becomes a chore. Do what you can, as you can, ensuring everyone understands this is a priority, but shouldn’t become a stressor.)

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5. Allow Santa to Point Children to Jesus

We don’t participate much in Santa Claus in our household, but one of our sweetest family traditions is visiting our town’s plant nursery, where a local elderly pastor and his wife dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The pastor recently beat a hard battle with cancer, which allows us to have a conversation centered on Jesus and the healing he brings, more so than the “magic” of Santa. 

If your children participate in Santa Claus activities, allow Santa to point them to Jesus. Each year, when my sister and I woke up to find gifts from Santa, he always left us a note that reminded us that the true reason for Christmas was and always would be Jesus. It was a simple pause amid all the excitement about toys that bent my little heart towards gratitude for the Ultimate Present. 

6. Bake a Happy Birthday Cake for Jesus

We are quick to throw elaborate parties for family and friends on their birthdays—streamers, confetti, place settings, balloons, etc. So why do we neglect to host a birthday party for the Savior of the world?

Get the family together the night before Christmas to bake a Happy Birthday Cake for Jesus. Let everyone be creative and add their unique touches to the dessert. On Christmas Day, before Christmas brunch (or lunch or dinner), light candles and have everyone sing the “Happy Birthday Song” to the greatest Birthday Boy of all time!

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mike Arney 

7. Read Luke 2 before Bed on Christmas Eve

My mom would read Luke 2 to us every Christmas Eve night. I’ve heard that chapter so much that I can almost quote its entirety. What a beautiful testimony to my mom’s faithfulness to honor the true reason for the Christmas season! 

Many are quick to read The Night Before Christmas, a children’s classic that I won’t tell you not to read, but Christmas Eve is a night for preparation, waiting, and hope. It’s the night before Hope breaks forth and sheds light and love on a weary world. Don’t neglect the power of Christmas Eve, much like the day before Easter, by forgetting to read the greatest birth story ever told to your family. 

One day, when your children are adults and the holiday season feels heavy, they will need to remember the story of their “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, [and their] Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). 

8. Host a Thankfulness Circle before Opening Gifts

Before everyone opens gifts, have everyone gather together and take turns sharing why Jesus remains the greatest gift of all time. Of course, some family members will be more reserved than others, and those who aren’t believers might not want to participate. Don’t press anyone if they are uncomfortable, but open the floor for anyone to share how Jesus has shown up in big, beautiful ways for them. 

(This sets a great example for children, who are naturally bent towards focusing the holiday on all the fun toys. It’s also a wonderful testimony to unbelieving family members and friends.)

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Why Keeping Christ Center Is Crucial

Friends, I value vulnerability because I believe it’s the only true way to connect with God and others, so I’ll be the first to gently remind you that your holidays won’t be perfect. Children will melt down in the middle of Christmas photos, your dog will have an unexpected vet bill as you try to purchase Christmas gifts, and the little sheep in your Christmas pageant will undeniably need to take a potty break in the middle of the performance. Family members will receive heartbreaking medical diagnoses, friends (or maybe even you) will fight bouts of seasonal depression, and others will experience relationships being torn apart. 

The holidays don’t pause the effects of a sinful world. But that’s what makes Christ’s coming special, what makes Advent a balm for the soul. Amid the chaos and hurt and impossible days, God’s goodness and love are with us. We are the world’s testimony of Emmanuel, the God who not only came to save us, but left His Spirit with us to ensure we would never walk alone, on days when life is holly and jolly, and on days when celebrating anything feels unbearable. 

I pray, no matter how busy and hard this holiday time might be, that you find simple ways to keep Christ the center of your family’s Christmas celebration. This commitment will prepare everyone’s hearts for another year, welcoming Jesus into all of life’s seasons.

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