Christmas looks and feels a little different this year. Traditions have been altered. Parties have been canceled. Gatherings have been smaller.
But there are still so many ways to celebrate! Go Curriculum shares these five simple ways you can encourage your families to remember the good news of Jesus this Christmas.
COLLECT CANNED FOODS FOR A FOOD PANTRY
Jesus – the King of the Universe – stepped down from His throne to serve us. Isn’t that incredible? But it gets more incredible. He was born to peasant parents in a stable that reeked of manure and laid in a manger coated in sheep saliva.
He came, not to be served, but to serve others. So, this Christmas, imitate Jesus by serving others.
WRAP PRESENTS AND PRAY TOGETHER
Invite your children to help you wrap Christmas presents this year. They may not look as neat and tidy as they’d look if you wrapped them yourself – but that’s okay.
Before you begin wrapping each present, take a moment and pray together for the person receiving the gift. Then, have your children write a Christmas card letting that person know how you, as a family, are praying for them this Christmas.
MAKE A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Get some plastic ornaments and red and green paint pens and give them to your children. Encourage them to write or draw what they’re most thankful for this Christmas. Then, as you hang their ornaments on the tree, take time to thank Jesus for all that He’s done.
READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Every night before your kids go to bed, take a couple of minutes to read a portion of the Christmas story together. Here is a simple 5-day reading guide.
- Day One: Luke 1:1-25
- Day Two: Luke 1:26-38
- Day Three: Matthew 1:18-25
- Day Four: Luke 2:1-20
- Day Five: Matthew 2:1-12
Then, after each passage, ask them these three questions (they might not have an answer for every passage).
- Based on this passage, what does God want me to know?
- Based on this passage, what kind of person does God want me to be?
- Based on this passage, what does God want me to do?
BAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Let your children help you prepare Christmas cookies. If you have a favorite family recipe, teach it to them and tell the story of whoever passed it on to you. If you don’t choose from one of the recipes below and tell your children about how you came to know Jesus.
- Soft Christmas Cookies
- Fully Loaded Christmas Cookies
- Easy Sugar Cookies (with Frosting)
- NEW – Christmas Cookie Recipe!
Or, even better, take your family through “Dough Holy Night” and experience the Christmas story together in a whole new way!
However you celebrate Christmas this year, we hope it’s the best year ever. Oh, and don’t forget to post your pictures to social media and tag us at @gocurriculum. We would LOVE to see how you’re celebrating the birth of Jesus and hear all of your creative ideas!
