How to Teach Your Children the True Meaning of Christmas

Teaching your children that Jesus is the reason for the season can be hard to do when competing with toys, candy and Santa Claus. But remember, when they are older, Santa Claus as they know him will be gone -Jesus never will.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• knowlege of the meaning of Christmas
• The Biblical account of the Christmas Story

1. First, do something children can relate to - have a party - a birthday party for Jesus. Explain how Jesus was born and how His birthday is how Christmas got started. Explain that He is so special that we all share His birthday and that people give us gifts just like God gave us a gift in baby Jesus. Have a cake, sing happy birthday and say a prayer of thanks for Jesus' birth. It is hard to compete with Santa Claus, so this is one easy and fun way to point out how Jesus takes precedence over Santa because Christmas was started on His birthday.

2. Take your children to a live nativity scene. What better to way to educate a child that through pet therapy? They love animals, so use those animals to tell the story of Jesus' birth.

3. Attend Christmas Pageants at churches and Christmas Parades too. Explain how they are both great and how they are different ways of celebrating Christmas.
   Pray before every meal and after the family's Christmas presents are opened, say a prayer thanking God for giving us Jesus - the true reason for the season.

4. Take the Bible and have a special time to gather together as a family. With traditional religious Christmas music playing softly in the background, read them the Christmas Story.
   At a later time the same day, watch the Little Drummer Boy and tell the children how we all have something special to give to Jesus just like the little drummer boy did.

Tips & Warnings

• Pray at every opportunity to point out that even when you're having fun, you should always remember the true meaning of Christmas and that is the birth of Christ. Therefore we have "Christ"mas.
• It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the busy Christmas season. However, we must set the example of keeping Jesus and His birth at the forefront of our heart and minds and at the forefront of our children's' hearts and minds too.

[moikehagirl]

on 4/10/2009 5*! jesus is the reason for the season