Growing In His Glory: 4 Christ-Focused Christmas Activities for the Whole Family

Recently, our oldest child, Kate (age 4), told me her favorite holidays were Christmas and Halloween because "I get presents and candy!" Granted she's 4 and the world, in her mind, revolves her in her twirly dress and high heel princess shoes, but I'm realizing that how she perceives Christmas is a direct reflection of how her father and I present it to her.

If we make Christmas all about our children and give them everything on their Christmas lists, then they are going to believe Christmas IS all about them.

They will expect more and more every year.
They will never be happy with what they have.
They will never understand that they are not the center of the universe.
And they will always be discontent, selfish, and egotistical.

But, most importantly, our children will never know Jesus.

So, in an effort to keep Christ at the center of our holiday season, I have been gathering ideas for fun Christ-centered activities for the kids and I to do.

4 Ways to Keep Focused on Christ this Christmas

(1) Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands

I am super excited to introduce my children to Advent, the season of waiting and expectation leading up to the birth of Jesus. This year I'm using Truth in the Tinsel. We usually read the Nativity story several times in December, but this year I bought Amanda's e-book with downloadable ornaments to help me really hash out what the Christmas story is all about.

I like how for each day, beginning December 1st, there is a passage to read together from the Bible, a cute ornament to make related to the passage, and specific things to talk about. There are also additional activity ideas if you have time and inclination.

If you are interested in more information about Truth in the Tinsel, click here.

(2) 25 Days of Christmas Activity Calendar.

In addition to Truth in the Tinsel, I have created a Christmas calendar of sorts based on Simple Mom's Advent Calendar. Mine is not so pretty but functional and cheap!

Basically, I wrapped a memory board in Christmas paper. Then, I glued Christmas scrapbook paper on cardstock, added number stickers for 25 days of December, and taped them to hang on the memory board.

Underneath each date is a sticky note with an activity for the day. I used sticky notes so I can change the activities around if necessary.

Here are some of the activities we plan to do this year. I tried to emphasize giving to others but also included fun traditional Christmas activities we like to do every year.

Pick out & decorate the tree.
Make Christmas candy {We love chocolate peanut butter balls & white chocolate dipped pretzels} and take to a widow or shut-in.
Shop for Toys for Tots.
Watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" & drink Mexican hot chocolate.
Go Christmas shopping for sister gifts {This year I'm giving the older two girls $5 to spend on gifts for each other. I want to make this a new tradition.}
Decorate a gingerbread house.
Visit a nursing home & hand out Christmas cards & goodies.
Learn a new Christmas carol.
Make handprint ornaments.
Shop for the Angel Tree.

(3) 25 Days of Christmas Books.

We have a growing collection of Christmas books that only make their appearance during this time of the year. So I thought it would be fun to wrap up a few and set them by our Christmas table. Each day the girls can pick out a book, unwrap it, and we can read a Christmas story together.

I don't have a lot of Christ-focused Christmas books yet, but I am working to add more to our collection.

{If you don't have a lot of Christmas books, check out some from the library. Just be sure to mark on the outside of the wrapping paper that it's from the library, so you read and return it before the due date :)}

Some of the books we're reading this year include the following:

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
Baby Jesus is Born {board book}
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh & J. Otto Seibold
The Christmas Story by Jane Werner, Illustrated by Eloise Wilkin {a Little Golden Book}
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Night Tree by Eve Bunting
The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, Illustrated by Jan Brett
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higg

(4) Advent Study: Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus.

This 4-week Bible study created by Good Morning Girls is for me. I have participated in two other GMG studies and have loved them for their depth and simplicity.

This study includes daily scripture readings and family activities, weekly devotions, and recipes. I love how I can read and journal each morning about the assigned passage and then discuss what I've read with my girls. The family activities tie in nicely. The bonus is this study is completely FREE. Click here for more information.

These are 4 activities my girls and I are doing this Christmas season to keep our focus on Christ.

What are your plans to keep Christ-focused this holiday season?

I would love to hear from you!

Blessings to you,