Jesus IS the Reason for the Season!

From Christmas wish lists to Christmas cookies to seeing Santa Clause at the mall, where is the true meaning of Christmas represented in all of that? It is difficult to remind our kids why we celebrate Christmas when there is so much to compete with. Here are some suggestions on how to help focus our kids in on why we love this time of year:

1) Read to them the Christmas story! Here are some suggested age appropriate books, as well as a link to purchase them. You can also find the scripture verses in Luke 2:1-7.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck geared towards toddlers to pre-schoolers.

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Manger-Pat---Peek-Book/dp/0694008362/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292452972&sr=1-1

What is Christmas? by Michelle Medlock Adams geared towards K-3rd graders.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Christmas-Michelle-Medlock-Adams/dp/0824966686/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292452945&sr=1-1

The Little Shephard Girl: A Christmas Story by Juliann Henry for children who know about the birth of Jesus and want to learn about it from a different perspective!

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Shepherd-Girl-Christmas-Story/dp/0781445132/ref=pd_sim_b_5

2) Get them involved when setting up your nativity set! Let them retell you the story.

3) Explain to them why it was important that Jesus (God) was born. Tell them that in order for him to come and die on the cross for our sins, he had to be born like we are. We now get to choose to believe that he was born and that he died on the cross for us and that we get to spend forever in heaven with him!

4) Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman are fun songs, but try to focus more on the Christmas songs that represent why we celebrate Christmas. This is a great opportunity to expand on the story of Jesus' birth.

5) Pray with your kids for those who don't know the real reason why we celebrate Christmas! Ask the Lord to use us to tell them!

6) Use this Christmas season as a time when you and your family can help families who may not have money to buy each other gifts. Let your kids know that the wise-men brought gifts to baby Jesus and that is why we keep the tradition of gift giving.

7) Lastly, have this Christmas season be a time of celebration in your home! Try to be stress-free (I know it's difficult!) and make it a point to focus in on why we celebrate this time of year. Remember you lead by example!

Merry Christmas!

Lyndsey