I want my children to enjoy Christmas, but I want them to keep Jesus as the focus of the season. And suggestions on how to do this?
2006-11-09 02:04:06 · 24 answers · asked by bamagrits84 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Get a Christian Advent Calendar. each day you open a little window and get to tell them a part of the Bible story. There are little treats with each one too (make sure each kid gets one) :)
2006-11-09 02:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by Isis 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The best way is to downplay gifts for them. Read them the story of the nativity, and explain that people give gifts at Christmas because the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. Then try focusing their attention on getting a gift for someone who needs it, and if they are old enough to grasp this concept, you are halfway there. Explain that they will get something, too, but that's not what Christmas is all about. Take them to Christmas plays if possible, and put up a nativity scene in the house or yard. Keep focusing their attention on Jesus in the manger.
2006-11-09 02:15:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We make a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day and when we decorate the tree we play Christmas songs by people like Mercy Me, Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapmen, you know songs centered around the birth of Christ and we tend to keep Santa Clause out of the house. We don't leave milk and cookies on Christmas Eve because our son knows that we give the gifts. We make our children aware of what other kids might be saying so they know what to expect from the world and we don't look down on people who do Santa Clause, but we choose not to because he isn't what Christmas is all about. We also have told our son right from the beginning about Jesus so he knows the true meaning behind the holiday. Volunteer at a homeless shelter to serve food or give gifts or go give gifts to sick kids in the hospiatl. Get them involved in christian based organizations that do charitable things for the less fortunate. It reiterates the giving part of Christmas just as Jesus was given for us. After all, Jesus was the best gift ever given!
2006-11-09 02:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by d4cav_dragoons_wife84 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't imagine that happening. Even my first born son was intelligent and well behaved. So he rarely got spanked at all. Jesus was unique no question about that but he had respect for authority as well and would never threaten or intimidate or look down on his elders. I'm thinking of the time Jesus was in the temple at the age of 12. How fascinating it is that Jesus could cause so much research and questionings with the teachers and scribes there. Yet they did not throw him out nor insult Jesus at all. For three days he was there. He must have a been a far different child that had the respect of many even in his youth. His own people knew Jesus as the carpenter's son. And when Mary found him in the temple later he did not reproach her but spoke the truth so much so that Mary kept these things in her heart.
2016-05-22 00:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing we do is to keep the gifts to a minimum and ask our family to do the same for our 4 year old. She's the only child in my family as well as my husband's and her first Christmas was insane and she was only 2 months old. So we have to remind everyone to keep it in check or we'll be opening presents for a week. Second thing we do is our advent calendar. A couple of years ago I made a manger out of Popsicle sticks, wrapped a little wooden figure in a piece of cloth, drew a little face on him, and put him in the manger. Next I got a piece of brown construction paper and wrote "For unto you in born this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11" Glued a piece of ribbon to it so I could hang it on our Christmas tree, then at the bottom of the paper I numbered it 1-25 then cut in between the numbers, like a flyer on a bulletin board where you pull off the phone number to call about the advertisement. Every day before Christmas we pull off a piece of "hay" to put in the manger for baby Jesus to have a soft bed. Then after we sing Away in a Manger, my daughter kisses baby Jesus and puts him back in the manger on his soft "hay". She looks forward to it every day and with the birthday party for Jesus they have in Sunday School, I think it really helps her to understand what Christmas is really about.
And to those who say that Christmas isn't the time of year when Christ was actually born and it's really a pagan holiday, that may be true, but it's the time of year we stop and celebrate Jesus' birth. Does it really matter when we celebrate as long as we celebrate? If you don't believe, that is your choice and someday we will all have to answer for the choices we have made, but don't spread hate and cynicism just because it isn't something you choose to believe in. Merry Christmas!
2006-11-09 08:40:50 · answer #5 · answered by disneychick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My children know the story of Jesus' birth and every year we retell it. In the days leading up to Christmas we talk about different aspects of the season. (the journey to Bethlehem, the wise men etc...)
I also remind my children that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and the whole celebration surrounding it is like his birthday party. The presents given are like presents at a birthday party except that Jesus wants us to have them. (God gave his son...) It is also a time to follow his example-- We can give gifts and food to the less fortunate.
My children are young so this has worked to keep him in their minds. As they get older I can explain further.
2006-11-09 02:17:52 · answer #6 · answered by artimis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do realize that Christmas isnt really about Jesus dont you?? its actually a Pagan holiday that the early Christians tried to cover up.. all the traditions (from the tree to the gifts) have pagan origins.. look up SATURNALIA and you will learn the truth about Christmas.. heck Easter was a pagan holiday too.. for the Godess Eastre...
also Jesus was born March 17 and this has been proven... so ummm ya celebrate if you want to but learn the facts first...
IF you want the focus to be Jesus.. DONT give presents.. then the focus becomes GREED
2006-11-09 02:42:58 · answer #7 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put a big focus on Santa (but still a little bit just for fun). Make sure that your children understand that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because it is Jesus' birthday.
2006-11-09 02:07:24 · answer #8 · answered by Julie F 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Community service projects are the best way to get children to understand the world is not only about them. Take them to help feed the homeless, take them to the local orphanage and have them shop for children who leave their wish lists on the trees in the mall.
Take them to church, talk about the birth of Jesus, tell them why you celebrate the birth of Jesus. Talk to your friends and family about cutting down on gifts at Christmas and giving to the needy. Let your children know that Jesus was a wonderful man who helped the poor and downtrodden and it is your duty as a Christian to live your life in his image. Teach them what giving means and how they can celebrate the birth of Christ by helping others in need. Because that is what Jesus would do.
2006-11-09 02:09:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i have grown up in a Jesus filled home
and every Christmas we read a book called:
jothoms journey
ore there are two others called:
Bartholomew's passage
Tabbitha's travels
all three of these are great books
they tell the story of Jesus as if you were there
some times kids get bored with reading the bible over and over again i know i did
so these books make it fun!!!
also kids love to decorate the Christmas tree
so have them make paper Christmas ornaments
that are all about Jesus
2006-11-09 02:21:54 · answer #10 · answered by ballet girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas day.
2006-11-09 09:18:32 · answer #11 · answered by party_pam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋