Elves are hiding, Santa is showing up at all the local malls and kids are cruising the gift catalogs making their ‘want’ lists. Yep, beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Or, have we missed something…be it someone?
Teaching the true meaning of Christmas is becoming harder and harder as the years go by. In the majority of public schools the subject of Jesus is not to be addressed. While I was once a public school teacher, I understand the reasoning behind the decision. We live in the land of the free. What makes our country such a great place to live is the diversity within it and the ability to express feelings and beliefs openly. With diversity comes different views and within different views many different beliefs are practiced.
I do believe it is our job as parents to teach our children about our God, Jesus and the wonderful day of Christmas. So, what if you teach in a church-based preschool? How do you separate the fun ‘persona’ of Christmas with the actually meaning of Christmas?
I will say this is a holiday I struggle with. We do the ‘Santa thing’ at our house, we even hide the elf. We bake cookies, wrap gifts and put up lights. While I LOVE the excitement that all those things bring to the month of December, I also struggle with the lack of Christ. Now that my oldest is getting older, she sees all of those commercials on TV and we hear a lot of ‘Ooo I want that!’ I suppose it is human nature to want it all…but, I want her to understand that it is NOT about the toys, the number of presents or who got what. It is about the birth of our Jesus.
I do believe that there is room for both fun traditions of Christmas and the True Meaning. So, today I have compiled some ideas from all over the web to add more Jesus to Christmas :)
LOVE this idea from Latter-Day Homeschool: Similarities of Jesus and Santa
Find and Fill Nativity Scene Game from No Time for Flashcards: This is a great way to use the Fisher Price Nativity Set, rather that just setting it out and talking about the figurines.
Nativity Story Box from The Fairy and the Frog: Bringing the Nativity to life by dressing up and pretending.
The Sweetest Gift from Lily Fashion: A great take home bag filled with candy each having a special meaning to the Birth of Jesus.
Gift for Jesus from Family Home Fun: A neat way to remind all of us of what we can give Jesus.
Jesus’ Birthday Party: We did this last year and it was a great way to focus Christmas as a birthday party for Jesus. Spell Outloud had a Pinterest Board all about a Birthday Party for Jesus!
A blog hop devoted to the Focus on the Nativity. Hosted by The Imagination Tree.
I also have a Pinterest board focusing on the Nativity. Check it out!
Do you have any activities you love to do with your children to teach about the Meaning of the Season?? Please Share!!
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