Creating Christmas Traditions That Focus on Jesus

The Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration, and, often, a whirlwind of activities. It’s easy to get swept up in the busyness—decorations, shopping, parties, and a multitude of traditions. Yet, as Christian parents, our goal is to cultivate a Christmas atmosphere in our homes that keeps Jesus at the center. Every family can develop their own meaningful traditions, rooted in faith, to enhance the season’s beauty while emphasizing the true meaning of Christmas.

I, Dr. Scott Turansky, recently created a podcast with my co-worker Elena Swetsloot from the Netherlands. She and I shared different traditions we had growing up in Christian families who tried to balance the secular traditions with the true meaning of Jesus. You can listen to that fascinating cross cultural podcast here:

Embracing Traditions that Build Faith

Every family has unique Christmas traditions. For some, it’s decorating the tree together, giving gifts, or even enjoying Santa Claus, or in the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas. Traditions become cherished memories that bind us as families. But what makes traditions truly special is when they reflect our faith.

In our family Christmas traditions, we blended fun activities that didn’t necessarily have a spiritual meaning with a huge emphasis on Jesus. We emphasized the nativity story, engaged our children with an Advent calendar, and even made space for traditions like pretending Santa Claus had just left our home on. Christmas morning. These activities weren’t just about entertainment; they wove together the joy of Christmas with the truth of Christ’s birth.

We played games and exchanged gifts, but they always returned to the foundational truth that Christmas is about God sending His Son to be our Savior. Each family has to choose their balance.

Creating Your Own Christ-Centered Traditions

You don’t need elaborate plans or expensive decorations to create meaningful traditions. Start with simple practices that reflect your family’s personality and values while keeping the focus on Jesus.

1. Tell the Christmas Story

Gather as a family to read the account of Jesus’ birth from the Bible (Luke 2:1-20 or Matthew 1:18-25). You might use a nativity set to act out the story or have children take turns reading the passage. Or with older children ask the question, “What can we learn for our lives from the wisemen or the shepherds, or even Herod. These moments can help children visualize and remember the significance of Christ’s birth.

2. Incorporate Daily Devotions

An Advent calendar or devotional can be a daily reminder of the season’s spiritual focus. Each day, families can reflect on a verse or short story that draws attention to Jesus’ arrival and God’s gift to humanity.

3. Serve Others

Model the giving spirit of Jesus by serving others. Whether it’s donating to a local church, baking cookies for neighbors, or writing cards for those who are lonely, these acts of kindness teach children the joy of giving over receiving.

4. Share a “Wonder of Christmas” Moment

Set aside time during the holidays to reflect on the awe of God’s love. This could be done through prayer, singing carols together, or simply sitting by the tree and thanking God for His blessings. I call it embracing “the wonder of Christmas,” where both parents and children experience gratitude for God’s miraculous gift of Jesus.

Navigating Secular Traditions with Wisdom

Many families wrestle with how much of the secular side of Christmas they should include in their celebrations. Santa Claus, Elf on the Shelf, and other traditions can feel at odds with the focus on Jesus. Every family has the freedom in Christ to make these decisions as long as Jesus remains central.

It’s important to be thoughtful about how these traditions fit into your family. If you choose to include them, consider how they might complement your faith. For example:

• Use the idea of giving gifts as a reflection of God’s ultimate gift to us.
• Share stories about St. Nicholas, who gave generously in the name of Christ, to inspire acts of kindness.
• Explain that while these activities are fun, they are secondary to celebrating Jesus.

For families who prefer to avoid secular traditions altogether, focus on making your faith-based activities engaging and memorable. Every family’s approach will look different, and that’s okay.

Meaningful Gift-Giving

The exchange of gifts can easily become a source of stress or even selfishness during the holidays. To counter this, approach gift-giving with intentionality:

• Focus on Quality over Quantity: Give fewer gifts but make them meaningful. Consider items that help your children grow in their faith, such as books, devotionals, or activities that align with their interests and talents.
• Teach Generosity: Encourage your children to choose a gift or donation for someone in need. This shifts the focus from “What will I get?” to “How can I give?”
• Reflect on God’s Gift: Remind your children that the greatest gift of all is Jesus, and our gifts to each other are a way to express love, just as God expressed His love to us (John 3:16).

The Heart of Christmas

Ultimately, Christmas traditions are about creating an environment where the love of Jesus is evident. Whether it’s through a nativity play, baking cookies for neighbors, or attending a Christmas Eve service, each activity should point back to the incredible story of God’s love.

As you shape your family’s traditions, ask yourself: Do these activities draw us closer to Jesus? Do they inspire awe and gratitude for God’s gift? Keep Jesus at the center, and your Christmas will not only be joyful but deeply meaningful.

What about you and your family?

What are your family’s Christmas traditions? Take some time this week to evaluate or create new ones that reflect your love for Jesus. If you’re looking for more inspiration, explore our resources on parenting and faith-based activities. Let this be the year your family embraces the wonder of Christmas in a fresh way!

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