The Christmas season is widely considered one of the most memorable, magical times of the year. If you have children, you already know that there are few things as touching as seeing your children truly embrace the wonder of this time of year. While it’s easy to get caught up in buying the most lavish gifts on your kids’ wish lists in the name of giving them a memorable Christmas, it’s important that you allow Christmas to be a spiritually memorable time for your children.
You’ve probably already read and heard countless things about Christmas becoming “too commercialized.” There is certainly no arguing that Christmas, at least in the eyes of our modern society, has largely become about spending money, hosting expensive gatherings, and buying the people you care about expensive gifts so they will enjoy the process of receiving gifts from you. This concept is especially true for those of us who have children.
Depending on the age of your children, the Christmas season may include letting them write a letter to Santa Clause. These letters typically include a list of gifts that they would like to receive for Christmas. As parents, we love the opportunity to give our kids those gifts. Seeing the joy on their faces when they wake up on Christmas morning and have what they asked Santa for is one of the most moving moments of the year for many parents.
As our children get older, the way that they ask for gifts, and the gifts that they ask for change. However, our desire to give them their desires doesn’t go away. When kids get older, they stop asking Santa for gifts. Instead, they tell us what they want for Christmas, and in most cases, we do what we can to get them what they’re asking for. While the type of gifts grows and evolves over the years, the parental desire to give good gifts to their children remains the same.
It’s important to understand that there is nothing wrong with this. Buying your children gifts that they want for Christmas is not a bad thing. Today’s study, which will focus on making lasting spiritual memories with your children is in no way an indictment of giving your kids the gifts that they want. Jesus understood that we would want to give our children good gifts. In fact, He said that God takes the same approach to us.
Matthew 7:11 (NIV)
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
God knows that we like to give our children good gifts, and He feels the same way about us. However, making Christmas a memorable experience for your children goes beyond gift giving. This time of the year is a sacred time, as we celebrate the arrival of Christ on Earth. If it had not been for the birth of Christ, there would never have been a crucifixion and a resurrection. Without those events, we would never have been given the opportunity to have a relationship with God.
It’s easy to assume that making memorable Christmases with our children involves giving them gifts. Sure, there may be some Christmas gifts that your children will always remember, but it is the spiritual ramifications of the season that will truly leave a lasting impression on your children.
Spend Some Time in Family Reflection
Hebrews 3:1 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger, and High Priest.
The Christmas season gives us a wonderful, unparalleled opportunity to reflect on what the Gospel story is truly all about. This means that the Christmas season is a perfect opportunity for us to spend some time with our families, focusing on the fact that the Christmas season is a celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ, who was God’s Son, yet was fully God Himself, chose to take on the form of humanity so He could better relate to us.
This passage from Hebrews refers to Christ as God’s Messenger and the High Priest. In ancient times, the High Priest was solely responsible for serving as the intermediary between God and humanity. When Christ came on the first Christmas, He assumed that role for all of eternity.
During the Christmas season, spend some time with your children every evening reflecting on what the Christmas story is all about. One of the best ways to do this is to read the Book of Luke together. The Gospel of Luke is made up of 24 chapters, and starts with the story surrounding the birth of Christ. Read one chapter each evening, and when you get to Christmas Eve, you will have read about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ with your children. Doing so will not only plant the seeds of the Gospel in their young hearts, but it can also facilitate spiritual conversations between you and your children.
Teach Your Children About Giving
Acts 20:35 (NLT)
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
One of the most powerful ways to make Christmas more memorable for your children is to teach them about the value of giving of themselves to others. If your children are like most, many of the gifts that you gave them for Christmas in 2021 have already found their way into the back of the closet. Now, with Christmas 2022 approaching, they probably have a fresh list of new gifts that they want. Again, there is nothing wrong with buying your children gifts. The concept of teaching your children about the value of giving isn’t an indictment on blessing them with good gifts.
However, the fact that gifts they used to love are now tucked away in a closet somewhere is a great opportunity teach your children about the value of giving. Take some time, go through their toys and clothes with them, and work to identify the things that they’re not using anymore. Then, try to find a local charity, a shelter for women and children, a homeless shelter, or another place that provides Christmas for those who don’t have anything this Christmas. Let them donate some items to those places so they can better understand the importance of sacrificial giving.
Your children are never too young or too old to learn about the importance of generosity. When you make giving a part of your annual Christmas traditions, your children can reap the blessings of that generosity for years.
Speak Openly About God’s Blessings
Psalm 34:1-3 (NLT)
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Finally, the Christmas season is a perfect opportunity to openly talk about the blessings of God that are evident in the lives of you and your family. The fact that you’re able to celebrate Christmas with your family is the result of God’s blessings in your life. Any gifts that you are able to buy for your children are the result of God’s provision in your life.
The Bible teaches us that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). When you spend time talking about God’s blessings, especially during this time of year, those words will take root in the hearts of your children. They will recognize that Christmas is a celebration of God’s goodness.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the good things in my life. My children, my family, and the things that I can give them during this season are the results of Your goodness. Help me to highlight the true meaning of this season for my children. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.