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Christmas Traditions That Put The Focus Back On Christ

Updated: Sep 23

Christmas is one of the few times of year when most people, regardless of religious beliefs, try to practice good will and kindness.


Unfortunatly, it is also the time of year where families start off with good intentions and high hopes only to get trapped by the black hole of discontentment, self indulgence, entertainment and consumerism.


Gone are the days in America where church services were the focal point of the season and where the majority of gifts were homemade and given with extreme thoughtfulness in response to real needs, both physical and emotional.


As more and more families go into debt to buy more stuff they don't need, and the stress from toxic family relationships rises to the surface, we are left wondering how to change the Christmas path now riddled with anxiety and depression.


If your heart cries for rest, simplicity, undistracted family time and more Jesus then enjoy the list of family Christmas traditions that aim to refocus your mind and the heart of your family.


a Christmas giving jar

1. Advent Reading

Our family loves to read through the Bible year round but we do a special reading during Christmas that focuses heavily on Jesus' birth. The gift of salvation is precious so it should be the most important story that you tell each year.


Outside of our Bible reading, we also read books like Jotham's Journey, Tabithas Travel's, Bartholomew's Passage and Istar's Odyssey.


Reading as a family is something that I didn't grow up having with my own parents but have found to be a huge bonding moment with my own children.


Children love stories and stories produce conversations and discussions that are remembered for years.


2. Nativity Sets

Whether you choose to make a homemade version or you purchase one, having a nativity set as the main focal point of your home during the Christmas season is a wonderful way to get the attention of your family back on the reason for the season.


You can take it a step further and have one child place a piece on the set each day after your Advent reading.


3.Family & Individual Ornaments

Many years ago my sister-in-love gave our family a family ornament with cute animals that represented my husband, myself and each one of our children at the time.


Since then I have ordered a new one every year to represent our family and it has been wonderful to see how we've grown in size over the years.


I purchase them from the Ornament Shop.


My husband and I also purchase an individual ornament each year for each kid and tell the story on Christmas Eve night of why we chose it as we present them with it.


We present the family ornament last and tell stories of how the Lord has been faithful to our family for that year.


4. Blessing Bag Party

Blessing bag parties allow you to celebrate Christmas with friends and family over music, food and games, while also adding a giving component that makes it that much more meaningful.


Because Christmas is that one time of year where we really focus on God's gift of salvation through the birth of Jesus, it makes perfect sense that we give just like we've been given to.


What our family has done is set a budget of how much money we want to spend and then we go shopping for items that we can fit into a gallon Ziploc bag for handing out to those in need.


We usually fill the bag with socks or a t-shirt, trial sized personal hygiene items, a bible track and some sort of snack or food.


The sky's the limit on what you can give but the true fun is in putting them together with your family.


5. Christmas Cards

This year instead of sending Christmas cards with just your family photo, choose a family verse for the season and add it to your cards with a personalized prayer for each family you send one to.


6. Christian Holiday Worship Music

Getting the Word and good clear doctrine into our kids through stories is great but using music can make it even easier. We tend to remember the lyrics to songs even many years after hearing it so use the power of music to refocus your heart this Christmas.


Below is a list of Holiday Worship Songs to help you get started:

  1. Angels from the Realms of Glory

  2. Angels We Have Heard on High

  3. Away in a Manger

  4. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

  5. Emmanuel

  6. Go Tell It on the Mountain

  7. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

  8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

  9. He Shall Reign Forevermore

  10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

  11. In the Bleak Midwinter

  12. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

  13. It's Christmas

  14. Joy to the World

  15. Light Of The World

  16. Noel

  17. O Come, All Ye Faithful

  18. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

  19. O Holy Night

  20. O Little Town of Bethlehem

  21. Ring the Bells

  22. Silent Night

  23. The First Noel

  24. There’s a Song in the Air

  25. What A Glorious Night

  26. What Child Is This?


7. Biblical Feast

Another way to tie in the times of Christ with your Christmas is to have a meal that would have been presented during the time Christ was born.


8. Christmas Crafts

Most kids love doing crafts but when done as a family while listening to audio Christmas stories like The Unlikely Wise Man or Candle in the Window that time of making crafts becomes an opportunity to hear a story that builds character and sparks a wonderful discussion.


Creating Christmas crafts is also a great way to decorate your home for the holidays while saving money.


Our family loves looking at old crafts that the kids did when younger.


9. Jesus Christmas Countdown Chain Links

You remember the old Christmas links that you made when you were in elementary school don't you?


The one where you ripped one link everyday to countdown towards Christmas Eve or Day.


Well you can put a new twist on it by adding the name of Jesus and the reference verse along with the countdown day number on each link. Then have the child that rips the link read the name and verse on it during dinner or right before your Advent reading.


10. Nursing Home Carols

Nursing homes can be one of the most lonely places during the holidays so getting a few other families to join you in visiting one to sing carols.


Singing is a wonderful way to bring on the holiday spirit and singing Christmas holiday worship music is a great way to share the gospel.


11. Adopt a Family

No matter where you are financially, giving to others is always a great way to help your kids learn the habit of gratitude and charity.


There is always someone who has less than you so choose a family in need and look for ways to serve them with needed gifts.


Some ideas for gifts could be:

  • a gift card for groceries

  • cleaned up used toys

  • good story books

  • kids clothing

  • help with a utility bill


Some programs that help you adopt a family include:


Programs that allow you to give livelihood gifts to impoverished familes:

12. Family Prayer Walk

With so many families suffering during the Christmas season, it can be a great idea to walk around your neighborhood and each of you take turns praying for the families in the homes you pass by.


This is a wonderful way to help your children become more thoughtful of others.


So there you have it, some ideas on Christmas traditions that help to refocus your family's heart on the true reason for the season.


Feel free to let me know which traditions you might incorporate this season.


In His Name & For His Glory,

Christine





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