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5 Family-Friendly Ways to Put Meaning Back Into Christmas

Christmas season is upon us and celebrations are in full swing. Among the growing piles of presents, party invitations, Christmas card orders, and letters to Saint Nick — not to mention the travel plans and the arrival of visitors — the Christmas message can be difficult to keep in the forefront of our minds. 

 
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Yet celebrating the season is undeniably what God intended. The arrival of the Savior of the world, Emmanuel, is the most deserving of celebrations. 

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” - Zachariah 9:9

As the anticipation of gifts given and received heightens, so should our anticipation of Christ the King. Here are five practical ways to put the real meaning of the birth of Christ back into Christmas this season for ages 2 through 102!

 

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1. “Adopt” A Child

Giving gifts around the Christmas season isn’t a modern day tradition. When the wise men saw Jesus for the first time, they presented him with the finest treasures they had. 

“When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:10-12

As Christians, we give because we have received the gift of salvation. Matthew 10:8 says “...Freely you have received; freely give.” We have been given the gift of life eternal through the Father and are called to be a generous people.

This Christmas, adopting a child in need is a wonderful way to be the light of Christ. From shopping for meaningful gifts such as educational or Christian books or to donating personal basics or wish list items, there are several programs that provide opportunities to provide for families less fortunate. Get your children involved in this process through each logistical step and pray over the gifts together as you wrap them, asking that God bless the children beyond the material gifts. Check out these local opportunities:

Hope for Christmas
The Salvation Army Angel Tree
Cobb Christmas

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2. Give Your Time in Service

In today’s world we are busier than ever, and during the Christmas season in particular, it can feel like there’s even less time to spare. Yet giving of our time is one of the greatest gifts we can offer, and one of the many ways we can reflect Jesus. 

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  - Hebrews 13:16

Jesus served his people—He healed, ministered, gave hope to the hopeless, and left the 99 to chase after the one. This Christmas, how can we follow the example of our Lord and Savior by using the spiritual gifts he has given us? 

Simple ways to give the gift of service:

  1. Cook a meal for someone in need. 
  2. Open your home to guests. 
  3. Pray for someone you don’t know. 
  4. Volunteer for service-based organizations like your local food bank, Salvation Army, or Must Ministries.

 

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3. Celebrate Advent

Make celebrating each day of Advent a new in-home tradition for your family this year. If lighting candles daily seems daunting with young children, we suggest starting an Advent wreath with battery-powered candles you can turn on each week, possibly at your Sunday family dinner.

Advent wreaths were thought to have originated in Germany in the early 1800s, introduced by Pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern as a way to help his children count down the days to Christmas. The circular shape and use of evergreen leaves represents God’s infinite and unending love for his people. Each candle has a special meaning, representing what the coming Savior would bring.

Week 1: Hope (Romans 15:13)
Week 2: Peace (John 14:27)
Week 3: Joy (Luke 2:10)
Week 4: Love (Matthew 1:21)

Creating an Advent wreath for your home is a practical way to initiate weekly conversations about the coming of Christ while you break bread as a family. You can purchase one, or try a DIY centerpiece for your table.

How to Create and Advent Wreath

 

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4. Create Blankets for MUST Ministries

Creating blankets for the homeless and families in need can become a cherished tradition for your family. It's an easy craft you can do with elementary-age children and up. Must Ministries collects these handmade blankets to distribute to people in need during the winter. 

An MPCS school family shared, "When I was at a store buying bulk felt for this project, the woman cutting the fabric asked what it was for. When I explained, the woman, with tears in her eyes shared that she had once received one of these blankets during a time of need. She expressed how much this simple gift had blessed her."

This is such an easy family-friendly way to give back this season. Get your kids involved and pray together over each blanket as you make it. You never know who it will bless!

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5. Share the Christmas Message Freely

In our communities, many people celebrate Christmas, but not everyone knows the full story of Jesus. Sharing the gospel doesn’t always have to look like preaching. It might be a smile to a stranger, letting someone into your traffic lane, doing a good deed for a neighbor, being a light to someone in need, or living out the good news of the Gospel in your everyday life. 

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” - Luke 2:10

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6-7

 

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Praise God! Emmanuel, God with us. God has sent his Son to be the Savior of the World, and He is with us always. What incredible news! 

Sometimes it does look like telling the Christmas story to someone who needs to hear it — to your kids, to your family, to someone searching for hope. And sometimes, it means simply radiating hope, peace, joy, and love through your everyday actions. 

Thank you, Lord, that we have a Christmas to celebrate! 

 

 
Margaret German is a mother of two young children and serves as the Assistant Director of Communications at Mount Paran Christian School.
 

To learn more about raising up followers of Christ at MPCS, click here.

 
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