What do you need to teach your child about Christmas?
It’s important to make the right emphasis when your child is young, so he or she will be grounded in the truth. Here are several tips about teaching your child about Christmas.
The Miracle of Christmas
The first Christmas was a miracle. You can teach your child about the miracle of Christmas without getting into complex details. Young children won’t understand what a virgin birth means. But as you emphasize the angel’s visit to Mary before she knew she would have a baby, you can help your child grasp the wonder of the miracle birth.
There were other miracles surrounding Jesus’ birth. Read Luke 2 with your child, noting the miraculous appearance of angels in the night sky, and the bright Bethlehem star. Tell your child that there were signs only God could create to announce the birth of Jesus, and that miracles are still real. Your child will be amazed at God’s power and strength when you teach your child about the miracle of Christmas.
The Truth of Christmas
It’s important to teach your child that the Christmas story is true. It happened in a real time of history, and occurred as a fulfillment of God’s prophecies and promises. Hints of the Christmas story are linked in Genesis 3, Isaiah 9 and Micah 5. With these Bible passages, you can explain to your child that God’s plan was secure many years before Jesus was born, and he brought it to pass at just the right time.
As your child gets older, he or she may hear that the Christmas story isn’t true. But if you diligently teach your child now that the Christmas story is God’s story, and nothing can change it, your child will have a strong foundation of truth as he or she grows up. What you do now to teach the truth of Christmas will make a difference in years to come.
What to Teach Your Child About Christmas
The best way to teach your child about Christmas is to read from the actual Bible. The clearest passage is in Luke 2, which you can read verse by verse. You can ask your child questions about each portion of the Christmas story, helping them delve into the truth themselves. Here are some sample questions to get you started:
- Who were Jesus’ earthly parents?
- Where was Jesus laid when he was born?
- How did the shepherds know where to find Jesus?
- What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus?
By asking simple questions like these, you can help your child process the truths of Christmas. You can also ask questions about related passages in Luke 1 and Matthew 1.
There are many other fun parts of Christmas traditions, but your main emphasis needs to be on the real Christmas story. You may choose to make Santa Claus, the Grinch or Elf on the Shelf part of your Christmas fun. Remember, though, to shine the main spotlight on Jesus himself as the real reason for the Christmas season, using the Bible as your primary source. You can also find quality Christian books to help unpack the real Christmas story, such as our resource God’s Gift.
Teach Your Child About Christmas Today
Now that you understand what to teach your child about Christmas, listen to my podcast Episode 24 today to learn how to incorporate Hanukkah into your teachings!
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