Ways to Have a CHRIST-Centered Christmas
Ways to Have a CHRIST-Centered Christmas
Because HE is the reason for the season and His presence is more important than the presents. Raising kids in this commercialized world is tough. In our family we’ve made an effort to really focus on the things that matter most, especially at Christmastime. But sometimes with all the hustle and bustle, it can be hard to keep the focus on the birth of the Savior and the blessings that Christ brings to our lives. In an effort to keep Christ in Christmas, we’ve rounded up hundreds of ideas for you and your family to enjoy this Christmas.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of Christmas. There are presents to buy and wrap, Christmas cards to make and send, lights to hang, and goodies to make. It’s just easy to forget the real reason for the season. This time of year I try to remember our first Christmas together after we got married. It was my first Christmas away from home, and we were far away from teaching English in China. I was pregnant and miserably sick. There was no snow or lights or carols. No stockings, gingerbread houses, or Christmas cards. After all, it wasn’t a holiday in China. We tried to get into the Christmas spirit by cutting out paper snowflakes and downloading Christmas songs from iTunes. We even found a tiny 6-inch Christmas tree in the city. But for some reason, I still wasn’t really feeling the Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve I started thinking about everything our families would be doing back home and on Christmas morning we had to go teach our classes. There were no presents under our little tree. Money was tight and we decided we’d exchange letters instead of gifts. But as I sat down to read my husband’s letter, my entire mood shifted. He talked about how grateful he was for our marriage and how excited he was to become a dad in the new year. As I continued reading, I started thinking of the first Christmas family and that little baby in the manger. I thought of my own new family and our little baby that was growing inside of me. And suddenly I was overwhelmed with love—Christ’s love for me. That’s the Christmas spirit! We didn’t have any presents to unwrap, but we had all of the greatest gifts already. Away on the other side of the world, away from the materialism and commercialism of Christmas, I found and felt the real reason for the season. And every year as things get crazy and chaotic, I try to remember our first Christmas and what’s really important – my family and my God. So this year, we decided to round-up all the resources that you’ll need to keep CHRIST in Christmas! First, check out our favorite Christ-Centered Christmas products HERE! Then come back and browse through our giant list of CHRIST-Centered Christmas . . .
Music {The Ultimate Playlist} Decor Books Movies Advents “Elf on the Shelf” Alternatives Crafts & Activities Coloring Pages Treats & Snacks Gifts Traditions Service
Now obviously you can’t do them all! But hopefully, as you browse through them you’ll find the perfect traditions and activities to help bring your family closer together and closer to Christ. Because THA,T is what it’s all about. It might even be fun to save these ideas to your Christmas Pinterest Board and look through it every year, that way you could choose a new tradition (or two!) to start annually!
Fill your home with Christ-Centered Christmas Music
Fill your home with Christ-Centered Christmas Music
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The ULTIMATE Christ-Centered Christmas Playlist! Over 50 songs & more than 3 hours of beautiful music!
Click above to listen to the whole playlist, PIN this list so you’ve always got it handy OR listen to the individual songs below…
Decorate your home with Christ-Centered Christmas Decor
Decorate your home with Christ-Centered Christmas Decor
Read Christ-Centered Christmas Books
Read Christ-Centered Christmas Books
Watch Christ-Centered Christmas Movies
Watch Christ-Centered Christmas Movies
I love cuddling up together as a family with some cocoa for a Christmas movie night. The Grinch and Elf are favorites around here, but I’m always on the hunt for movies that incorporate the real reason behind it all. So here are… 20 Christ-Centered Christmas Movies!
Countdown to Christmas with a Christ-Centered Christmas Advent
Countdown to Christmas with a Christ-Centered Christmas Advent
1. Christ-Centered Christmas Countdown {The Dating Divas} – This gorgeous countdown is full of 24 beautiful Christmas symbols and relates them back to Christ. Each symbol has a scripture and activity to accompany it. 2. Christ the Savior is Born Advent {Sunlit Pages} – Each day reveals a picture portraying part of the Christmas story or Christ’s life. There’s also a correlating scripture and an activity for each picture. 3. Red Christmas Countdown {Tidbits} – Create a simple and gorgeous countdown that pairs with a booklet that has scriptures, pictures and discussion questions all focused on Christ. 4. Craft Advent for Children {Housewife Eclectic} – Do a little craft each day that relates back to the story of Christ’s birth. 5. Felt Nativity Advent {Cutesy Crafts} – Each day, the children can pull a piece of the nativity out of the pocket to create the manger scene. {Template included!} 6. Christmas Refrigerator Advent {Choose to Thrive} – Here’s another great version of the Nazareth to Bethlehem advent, but this one uses vinyl and magnets – perfect for the refrigerator. 7. Framed Christmas Countdown {The Dating Divas} – This Christmas countdown allows you to pull off an act of service or activity card each day as you reveal a picture of the Nativity story. 8. Nativity Ornaments {Kiki & Company} – Use these ornaments to tell the story of Christ’s birth as you countdown to Christmas.
11. Baby Jesus Coloring Page {Melonheadz} 12. M is for the Manger {Best Coloring Pages for Kids} 13. Wisemen Coloring Page {A Girl and a Gluegun} 14. Little Drummer Boy Coloring Page {Coloring Book 4 Kids} 15. Shepherd Coloring Page {Coloring Page} 16. Oh Come Let Us Adore Him {Best Coloring Pages for Kids} 17. Manger Scene Coloring Page {Coloring Me} 18. For Unto Us a Child Is Born {Melonheadz} 19. Nativity Coloring Page {Color Luna} 20. Shepherd’s Visiting Baby Jesus {Coloring} Make Christ-Centered Christmas Treats & Snacks
Give Christ-Centered Christmas Gifts
Give Christ-Centered Christmas Gifts
Start Your Own Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions
Start Your Own Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions
Traditions are what make a holiday special. These are the special things that we all look forward to and enjoy doing as a family! Here are some wonderful Christmas traditions focused on Christ to help your family remember the reason for the season.
Christmas Service Ideas
Christmas Service Ideas
It’s easy for kids to get caught up in the excitement of the presents they’ll receive on Christmas morning. But Christmas is also a wonderful time to teach about the importance of service and giving. Here are a few ideas for Christ-Centered Christmas service.
