Teach Kids the Real Meaning of Christmas: A Christ-Centered Christmas Round-Up

Christmas is a beautiful season. With the lights, music, and prospect of gifts, it’s hard for kids not to be in a good mood! However, the season can quickly get too busy. We can easily lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas if we’re not intentional about the activities we choose to do. I’ve pulled together some of the best activities from around the internet to help you teach your kids the true meaning of Christmas.

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Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord…

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:10-11, 14

We can rejoice daily in the glorious news that Christ was born as Savior for you and me. Christmas presents an especially special time of year to learn, ponder, and remember the Savior.

We can use the power of the Christmas season to help our kids feel the love that Jesus has for them individually and then choose to share that love with others.

This happens as we are intentional about teaching our kids about Christmas and choosing activities that enlighten and remind our children about Jesus Christ.

As I began searching for ways to teach kids about the real meaning of Christmas, I was delighted to find so many great ideas! I gathered just a few of the best that we either do as a family or that I am inspired to try.

As you go through this list, remember that we do not need to do all the things.

Simplify. Choose to focus on the love and peace of the season and eliminate the clutter. Don’t get wrapped up in a check list of activities or traditions that fill time to the brim. Be purposeful about being together and teaching your kids about love.

11 Ways to Teach Kids the Real Meaning of Christmas

1. Do a Christ-Centered Advent

Advent calendars are so much fun with their daily surprises. Choose an advent that will help kids think about Jesus each day leading up to Christmas. You can include small treats or ornaments with your advent if desired, but remember that simple can be just as joyful.

You can click the image to print our simple Christ-Centered Advent.

Or look for inspiration in this great list of 18 Uplifting Advent Ideas from Christie Thomas. Two of my favorites from her list are a random acts of kindness paper chain and progressive manger. She also shares a beautiful sticker mosaic.

2. Make a Baby Jesus Craft

This no-sew sock baby from Catholic Icing is such a great idea!

Here’s another simple Baby Jesus craft that uses materials you probably have around the house, or try one of these 30 Baby Jesus Crafts from Felt Magnet.

3. Learn from the Grinch

Read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! where the Grinch learns about the real spirit of Christmas. This classic Dr. Seuss book teaches about the real meaning of Christmas in a fun, whimsical, and funny way that generations have loved. In fact, my three-year-old has chosen it for bedtime nearly everyday for the last two weeks leading up to Christmas!

Follow-up with a fun craft or activity such as this Grinch-inspired ornament or one of the other 14 Grinch activities listed on Buggy and Buddy.

4. Tell the Nativity with Puppets or Costumes

Make these felt nativity hand puppets taught by Kelly Sundstrom, and then tell the story of the birth of Jesus.

You could also gather simple costumes and act out the story.

5. Create a Homemade Nativity Scene

Premeditated Leftovers can show you how to create this cute Flower Pot Nativity Set or 14 other homemade Nativity scenes and crafts.

6. Read a Book that Teaches about the Real Meaning of Christmas

One of our family favorites is Christmas Train by Thomas Monson in which a young boy learns about the Spirit of Giving.

Additionally, here is a great list of 10 Christ-Centered Christmas books from Domestic Mommyhood.

7. Learn a Christ-centered Christmas Song with Handbells or Just Lyrics

Immerse kids in the music with handbells. (I don’t have a good ear for pitch, so I turned to an expert I know and trust. She uses and recommends Kids Play Handbells for pitch and quality.)

Here are instructions for playing handbells for the First Noel and Away in a Manger from Teaching Primary Music. Inspired Instructor has several Christmas songs for handbells as well.

Alternately, you can simply learn the lyrics of Christ-centered Christmas songs and sing them together at bedtime, in the car, or anytime.

8. Color or Draw Nativity Pictures

Print some nativity pictures to have on hand. Kids can color these for a quick activity while you make dinner, send Christmas cards, or even wait at the doctor’s office.

Additionally, you can always encourage your children to draw their own pictures about Jesus or what they love about Christmas.

Mom Junction has some free printable nativity coloring pages, including an empty stable that encourages kids to draw their own manger scene.

These free printables from coloring.ws have scriptures with the nativity coloring pages.

9. Play a Christ-Centered Christmas Game

Star Light Shining Bright is a fun Christmas game from The End in Mind. The simple game encourages kids to think about the Wise Men who traveled to visit Jesus when they saw his star.

10. Read the Biblical Story of the Birth of Jesus

Read the account found in Luke Chapter 2 and Matthew Chapter 2.

Follow with answering questions, discussing the story, or sharing how you feel about the Savior. Consider adding an Illustrated Bible to your family collection.

11. Serve as Christ Served Others

The Shine Projects has collated 51 Holiday Service Projects. Any family can find service that works for them on this great list.

We just participated in a talent show with my extended family at a nursing home.

As we sang our final number of Silent Night, I watched the kids pass out lap blankets with cards some of the children had made. Several of the residents were brought to tears, and I couldn’t help thinking that this is what the Christmas season is really supposed to be all about.

The real meaning of Christmas becomes real in our lives as we strive to live as the Savior did.

As we personally take the love of Christ into our lives, we will know how best to help our kids understand and live the real meaning of Christmas.

We will fall short at times. However, Christ extends grace to us daily. He desires for us to feel loved and have true joy.

This is my hope for you and your family throughout this Christmas season and always.

How do you teach your kids the real meaning of Christmas? Please share in the comments.

I’m sharing this post at some of these Link Parties I Love! Thank you hosts!

Do you want more Christmas posts? Check these out…

• Christmas Traditions for a Christ-Centered, Love-Filled Holiday
• Helping Kids Remember the Reason for the Season
• How to Have a Peaceful Holiday Season: 7 Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress
• Gifts for Kids Ages 0-10 to Love All Year
• 20 Meaningful Gifts for Grandparents
• 25+ Holiday Service Ideas for Kids and Families

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Are you looking for greater peace this season or in your life in general?