Making Christmas Count
Each Christmas it seems as if most of the world is celebrating Christ’s birth with its festive spirits and colorful displays. But only a few people truly understand that Christmas is a time to remember God’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to us. It provides a great opportunity for us to share the true meaning of the holiday with them. With just a few creative ideas, you can make Christmas count within your sphere of influence. Here are some ways that you can do that at home and in your child’s school.
At home:
1. Set up a nativity scene so that children can interact with the pieces. For example, you could choose:
- A nativity made with unbreakable figures
- A nativity with removable felt pieces hung on the wall
- A nativity of stickies for the window
- A fabric stuffed nativity
When children come by they will be drawn to it and it will give you a chance to interact with them about the real meaning of Christmas.
2. Set up an advent wreath in a prominent place in the house. That way it will serve as a witness to your children and visitors that Christ holds a prominent place there. As children are drawn to it, you can explain its significance.
- Circle: stands for eternity. It is a picture of God’s constant presence with us and His unending love for us.
- Evergreen: symbolizes eternal life in Christ and our growth into His image
- Candles: remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. The five candles may be all red, all white or a combination of three purple one pink and one white for the center. Each candle has a name:1st – Prophecy candle symbolizing Jesus’ first coming
2nd – Bethlehem candle reminding us to prepare for His birth
3rd – Shepherds’ candle reminding us to share the good news of His coming
4th – Angel candle symbolizing God’s love for us
5th – Christ candle lit on Christmas eve or day
Making the wreath:
- Carve out four evenly spaced holes around a styrofoam wreath.
- Wrap the base of each candle with masking tape to give it added stability.
- Insert 4 candles into the holes and the Christ candle in the center.
- Cover the entire surface with small sprigs of artificial branches stuck into the styrofoam.
- Add bows, pinecones and/or other decorations.
You could also purchase an artificial evergreen wreath and evenly space out four small candle-holders amidst the greenery. Another option is to buy an advent wreath at your local Christian bookstore.
3. Plan an outreach you can do with your children. It could be visiting a nursing home and handing the residents a small homemade gift or cookies and a tract. Or you could go caroling and visit elderly shut-ins.
At school:
- Send a nativity scene with your primary school age child for Show & Tell time. Include a Christmas storybook.
- Send Christmas storybooks with your child for the teacher to read or to put on a reading table to share with the other children or for them to read aloud if they’re able and the teacher is open.
- Send a Christmas video or talk to the teacher about showing one. ‘The Nativity’ by Hanna-Barbera is excellent.
- Offer to read or tell the Christmas story in your child’s classroom. You could use a book, nativity scene, puppets or stick puppets.
- Have your child give cards to classmates that show the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps you could include a little Christmas kid’s tract.
- Have your child invite classmates to an evangelistic children’s party that your church has planned or to a party you would have in your home.
- Have your child give their teacher a JESUS video as a gift. You could also give an angel tree ornament to will remind them of the Christian faith.
As you share the true meaning of Christmas in the school, not only do you introduce Jesus to staff and students who may not otherwise hear, but you also strengthen your own child’s faith. As they hear the same message in school that they hear at home, their beliefs will be reinforced. Take the initiative to share even in small ways and you will model to them how they too can be a witness.
Photo courtesy of Sandi Wilson Photography
