As end-of-year events and festivities come suddenly crashing in, it’s so easy to get swept up in the hectic pace of the season. How can we keep Jesus at the centre of Christmas? How can we establish family Christmas traditions that point us all to the one who is truly, the best gift ever? I hope you find some inspiration here!
Cut Back on the Unnecessary
The first step may be to cut back on the unnecessary. It seems that in our part of Australia, large-scale community Christmas events have multiplied significantly. It also feels like they’re starting earlier and earlier. Community carols in mid-November? Didn’t know that could even be a thing until I saw it this year.
Add in break-up parties, family meetings, music recitals, and it all looks like a pretty overwhelming November/December calendar. Cutting back where possible, seems like a very good place to start when focusing our minds on Jesus at Christmas. Now for some ideas about traditions!
Family Christmas Traditions
Jesse tree family devotion
Firstly, what is a Jesse tree?
In early traditions, Jesse Tree art showed the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Jesse, King David’s father. The Jesse Tree highlighted the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Jesus ~
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Isaiah 11:1
You can see some beautiful imagery of traditional Jesse Tree art works here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Jesse
Today, the term Jesse Tree usually refers to the modern Christmas tradition of retelling the Bible stories that led up to Jesus’ birth. On a real tree, or picture of one, ornaments are hung up throughout December to remember these stories.
This year we are doing a Jesse Tree style family devotion by Anne Voskamp, and I can’t wait to start it.
The book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, is beautifully illustrated, very well priced, and comes with free downloadable Christmas ornaments for each day of the devotion.
Advent Calendar With the Story of Jesus
When the kids were little I knew I wanted something more meaningful than a Santa advent calendar filled with chocolates. Instead, we used a wooden advent calendar to hide chocolates and reveal a part of the Christmas story each day leading up to Christmas. The kids have loved doing this.
Last year, we received a pretty advent calendar that has the Christmas story unfolding behind each door for the 25 days of Christmas. It’s hanging on our wall this year. Even though it shows the magi visiting Jesus in the stable at his birth, and depicts angels as children, it does a lovely job of presenting the biblical story accurately in its windows.
Now we use our wooden one for the chocolates, and our wall one for the readings.
Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a new experience for us this year. It is a tradition that is believed to have been started by German Lutherans in the 1500s. Five candles are used to represent hope, peace, joy, love, and Jesus’ birth. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas Day, the four themed candles are lit, and verses are read that relate to the theme of the candle for that week.
So, on the first Sunday, the candle representing hope will be lit, appropriate verses reflected on, and the candle left to burn for as long as practicable. The next Sunday, hope and peace will be lit, but the verses for peace will be focused on. This continues for all four Sundays. Then, on Christmas Day, the candle symbolizing Jesus’ birth is lit as well. Crosswalk has some lovely readings and verses here. They print out nicely if you use the print function available at the page – https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/what-are-advent-readings.html
Traditionally candles are specific colours. Three purple, one pink, and one white. However, we couldn’t find these exact candles for a reasonable price, so we improvised. I agonized over that improvisation a little, and then decided that in this case, focusing on the point of the Advent wreath tradition was more important than having the exact traditional elements.
If a real advent wreath is not possible in your home, you can find some lovely alternatives.
You can find a free coloring in one here – https://www.northernpastoral.network/news–resources/advent-wreath-colouring-pages
This 3D one, with free printable “candle” wraps is a lovely idea too – https://www.looktohimandberadiant.com/2014/11/kids-advent-wreath-free-printables.html
Share the Good News of Jesus
While we’re celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, so many sit in darkness without God’s forgiveness, love, hope and joy. Why not take your kids on a neighbourhood gospel tract drop?
Living Waters Australia is giving away lovely tracts that we delivered to our neighbours last year – https://www.livingwaters.com.au/p/a-christmas-gift-gospel-tract/?srsltid=AfmBOoo-po91_hXlIDUvSScyFzAuEvB3XUNAxbPhP8_YYdWp6HRfqu_Q&v=8bcc25c96aa5
If you can afford a donation when ordering, great. If not, I’m sure Living Waters would be delighted to know the good news of Jesus is going out regardless.
Read Christmas Stories
Of course, there are so many Christian Christmas stories to choose from. Some families have books to read for all 25 days of December, which is a lovely idea. A couple of recently published Australian options are –
How Santa Learned the Gospel, and The Stinky Donkey. The Stinky Donkey also comes with an activity pack for younger children.
Watch Christmas Movies Together
Who doesn’t love, love, love Christmas movies? Some Christian options we’ve enjoyed for little ones are:
The Star of Christmas by VeggieTales – This one is available free on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXxRXeepRaw
The Toy That Saved Christmas, by VeggieTales – Available on DVD at Word or Koorong, or stream it with YippeeTV.
Once Upon a Stable – DVD available at Word or Koorong, or stream it through YippeeTV.
For families with older kids, I think The Nativity Story is just beautiful – It is available on DVD at Word or Koorong. It seems there are also some free options to stream on YouTube.
Attend a Local Church Carol Event
If you worship at a smaller church that isn’t running a carols event, why not join in with a larger local church that is running one. What a joyful experience it is to sing carols together with God’s people in the lead-up to Christmas!
However you keep Jesus at the centre of Christmas this year, may it be a truly joyful and peaceful time. If you have any Christmas traditions not listed here, we’d love to hear about them!
