Christmas Traditions with a Christian EmphasisChristmas traditions have played an important part in our family holidays to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ. Family traditions can bring lasting bonds within a family too. These in turn can be passed along through the generations and give children as well as adults special memories and a sense of roots and belonging.
Following are several Christmas traditions that we have used in our family over the years. We'd love to hear from you about other Christmas traditions that you have in your own families; just send us a note through our Contact Page.
The Christmas Story
We may consider the Christmas tradition of reading the Christmas story a given, but after hearing others talk, it often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of opening gifts and preparing a big meal. Take time this Christmas to sit down with your family either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to read the story of the first Christmas in the Bible. When our children were little we would have them add the individual pieces to our Nativity set as we read the story. Setting up a Nativity set is a wonderful family tradition in itself! Following are the Scriptures that can be used for this special Christmas tradition.
Joseph, Mary & Baby Jesus(Animals may also be added.) Luke 2:1-8: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:9-20: "8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
Matthew 2:1-12: "1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
The First Gift
Still another family Christmas tradition we have is that the kids may open one single gift early on Christmas Eve. As they do we emphasize that God has given us the single greatest gift that was ever given in His Son, Jesus.
The Christmas Nail
We purchased the Christmas Nail several years ago. Each year it is the first item to hang on the tree - before any other ornament. It hangs close to the center of the tree where no one else can see it. It is a reminder to each of us as a family member that we celebrate not only the birth of Christ, but also remember that He lived a perfect life and died on a cross made from a tree to pay the price for our sins. Therefore, we can also celebrate the fact that He was resurrected and lives! Because it hangs close to the center, it also reminds us that Jesus is to be the center of our lives as well.
Following is the story of the Christmas Nail: This is the Christmas Nail. It is to be hung on a sturdy branch, a branch near the trunk, a branch that will hold such a spike without being noticed by well-wishers dropping by to admire one's tinseled tree. The nail is know only to the home that hangs it. Understood only by the heart that knows its significance. It is hung with the thought: The Christmas tree but foreshadows the Christ tree which only He could decorate for us, with nails such as this.
Special Ornament Christmas Traditions
We have four children, and each year I make it a point to buy each a new ornament that in some way is special for them. For example, our oldest daughter was interested in horses for several years; therefore she has various horse ornaments. Also, each of our children played different sports; so some years they got ornaments that had to do with their various sports. Our oldest son is into hunting; he has several deer and hunting ornaments. Christmas traditions can also remind us of loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord. The years we lost my dad and mom they each got a special ornament in memory of my parents - butterflies for my dad and hummingbirds for my mom. (That's an inspiring story in itself for another time.)
Each of our children are different and unique. We want them one day to take their ornaments with them to their own homes to help them remember our family times together, but also to remind them of how God created them each unique and special.
"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Cake
When our kids were young, we had a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve. We made a birthday cake, sang "Happy Birthday," and opened a gift. We really tried to emphasize that the real reason for the season is Jesus.
Other Christmas Traditions:
*Count down to Christmas with an Advent Calendar.
*Bake goodies to take and share with others - shut-ins, nursing homes, children's homes, neighbors, etc. *Serve together at a soup kitchen, nursing home, church mission, etc. *Ride around and look at Christmas lights. Discuss how Jesus came to be the Light of the World. *Watch a special Christmas movie together.
Family Christmas traditions don't have to be complicated or big. It's the small things that we do every year together that make an impression. We hope that one day our kids will pass these and their own Christmas traditions down to their children. These are just a few of the Christmas traditions we have woven into the framework of our family's holidays. Family traditions can take place any time of the year and become an adhesive that holds a family together as well as set the stage for sharing the Christ of CHRISTmas.
Each year is just another opportunity to weave in new traditions. This year we're making homemade ornaments, some for which we'll use Chrismon patterns and other Christian Christmas ideas.
Here are still more Christmas traditions and ideas along with a Christian Christmas alphabet, poems like "Jesus is the Reason" and a new Christian version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and many more ideas for keeping Christ at the center of our CHRISTmas!
Also, don't miss out on these Christian Christmas object lessons; these too can become great Christmas traditions!
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