Keeping Christ in Christmas

The Christmas season is a time of joy, generosity, and celebration. However, with the whirlwind of holiday parties, shopping, and festivities, the true meaning of Christmas can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. For parents, the challenge is helping teens see beyond the holiday bustle and remember the reason for the season: Christ’s birth. By keeping Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations, we can help our teens focus on faith, gratitude, and the incredible gift of God’s love.

Why Keeping Christ in Christmas Matters
Christmas is one of the most meaningful times of the year to reconnect with our faith. When teens learn to prioritize the spiritual significance of Christmas, they gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and the life-changing message of Jesus’ birth. This focus on Christ can bring a sense of peace and purpose, grounding them amidst the holiday excitement.

Ways to Help Your Teen Keep Christ at the Center of Christmas
Here are a few practical ways to focus on Christ during the Christmas season and encourage a faith-centered celebration:

1. Create a Christmas Devotional Tradition
   Advent devotionals or Bible reading plans can guide your family through the story of Christ’s birth. Set aside a few minutes each day or week to read together, light a candle, and reflect on the Christmas story. These moments can help teens see Christmas as a season of worship, not just celebration.

2. Encourage Giving as an Act of Love
   Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to show Christ’s love through acts of generosity. Encourage your teen to participate in a service project, donate to a cause, or even create homemade gifts for friends and family. These acts of giving remind them that Christmas is about sharing love and embodying the compassion Christ showed to others.

3. Set Up a Nativity Scene as a Visual Reminder
   Displaying a nativity scene at home serves as a tangible reminder of Jesus’ humble beginnings and the true meaning of Christmas. Encourage your teen to reflect on each character’s role in the story, and how each one celebrated the birth of the Savior.

4. Make Christmas Eve Worship a Priority
   Attending a Christmas service together or reading the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas morning can set a meaningful tone for the day. Worship helps teens understand that Christmas is more than a holiday; it’s a celebration of God’s greatest gift to humanity.

5. Focus on Gratitude and Prayer
   In the lead-up to Christmas, encourage your teen to write down one thing they’re thankful for each day. On Christmas Day, take a moment as a family to thank God for these blessings. Prayerful reflection can foster a deeper appreciation of the season and the significance of Christ’s birth.

Teaching Teens the Importance of Jesus’ Birth
Christmas can be a powerful reminder of God’s love and the hope we have through Jesus. Discuss with your teen why Christ’s birth matters, explaining how God’s gift of Jesus brings hope, forgiveness, and new life to everyone who believes. Encourage them to see Christmas not just as a historical event, but as a personal invitation to experience God’s love.

Keeping Christ in Christmas Amidst Holiday Traditions
It’s okay to enjoy the festive aspects of the season—decorations, food, and family traditions are beautiful parts of Christmas. But by intentionally incorporating faith into these traditions, you can create a balance. For example, while decorating the tree, talk about how each ornament represents a memory or blessing from God. Or, while baking cookies, remind your family that every gift or treat we enjoy reflects the abundant love of God.

Keeping Christ in Christmas is about finding moments to reflect on God’s love, gratitude, and the miracle of Jesus’ birth. By focusing on these themes, we help teens see the holiday not just as a season of giving and celebration, but as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ. This Christmas, let’s make room in our hearts and homes for the Savior, keeping Him at the center of every tradition, gathering, and memory.

Scripture Reflection:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9:6