Celebrating the True Meaning of Christmas!
The Christmas season has become very commercial; from the gifts to the trees, from Santa to the elves. Christmas has lost its meaning in many households throughout the country. In an attempt to bring the true meaning of Christmas back into our families and our lives, I have put together some simple ways that will allow you to celebrate Christmas by sharing and serving the community and spending time with your family. These easy activities will let our children understand that Christmas is not about the presents and the tree, but rather about Jesus Christ and giving to others. Each day of December there will be a different activity for you and your family to participate in. With some help, I think that we can bring true joy back into Christmas and let our families and the community see what Christmas is all about.
December 2: Come up with a NEW Christmas tradition for your family to celebrate that involves serving others.
December 3: Make a homemade Christmas card and mail it to a random person in the phone book!
December 4: Make a gingerbread house together as a family. (You could do gingerbread men or graham cracker houses or buy a pre-made kit if you don’t want to make it from scratch!)
December 5: Memorize a Bible verse together as a family. (John 3.16 is our verse this month or you can come up with your own!)
December 6: Make Christmas ornaments out of things around the house. Be creative and take one to a neighbor and hang one on your tree!
December 7: After dinner, sing some Christmas songs together as a family. Parents, teach your preschooler a new song they do not know! Preschoolers LOVE to sing!
December 8: Help clean your brother or sister’s room without complaining!
December 9: Talk about the true meaning of Christmas at dinner as a family. Ask your children what Christmas means to them!
December 10: Have your children make Christmas cards for the fire station and take your children with you to deliver them!
December 11: Take some homemade cookies to a nursing home. (email Cass if you want to take them to a church member and he can get the name of someone for you!)
December 12: Bring a gently used book or toy to church to donate to a needy family! (Parents – encourage your child to choose one of their toys to give!)
December 13: Help your mom or dad empty the trash and clean the house.
December 14: Make homemade hot chocolate mix together as a family and deliver it to neighbors! (recipe included at end of list)
December 15: Go outside and look at the stars. Read Matthew 1:18-2:2 and talk about the star the wise men followed to come and see Jesus!
December 16: Help clean up after dinner by helping with the dishes.
December 17: Wear your pajamas, grab a snack, and drive around to look at Christmas lights as a family. Talk to your children about how Jesus is the Light of the World!
December 18: Snuggle with your family in your parents bed and talk about things that you love about your family. Sing a Christmas song, or two, while you snuggle!
December 19: Talk about five things, with your family, that you are thankful for.
December 20: Make a special Christmas snack and look at a Nativity set and talk about the roles of each of the characters. (ie. Shepherds, Wise Men, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the angel, etc…) as a family.
December 21: Show your Mommy and Daddy how much you love them through your actions today!
December 22: Watch a Christmas movie together before going to sleep!
December 23: Decide on a way your family can serve someone in need next month and come up with a plan on how you will make it happen! Make it fun for your children and let them help decide what your family service project will be!
December 24: Have a birthday party for Jesus with your family! Make a cake with a cake mix, decorate it, place candles on top and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!
December 25: Take a moment from this day and take cookies, card, gifts, etc., to someone who has to work on Christmas day. (i.e. Policeman, Nurse, Waiter, Grocery store worker, etc.)
