We can trust that if we do our best to celebrate the Savior with our kids, God will honor that.
First, let’s recognize the dichotomy of Christmas as parents. Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations of the best gift ever received, where our Creator made a way for us to be made right by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. God with us. God as a man on Earth, just like me, FOR me. Yet celebrating this monumental and deeply personal gift from our loving Father adds extra stress, enhances unhealthy family dynamics, and destroys routines. So what do we do?
- Spend time with your Heavenly Father.
You can only teach your children about Christmas and why it matters once you accept it yourself. Ask God, “What do you want to show me about YOU this Christmas?” Be intentional about what you are taking in. However, you learn more about The Word, whether it be through books, podcasts, devotionals, or commentary and ancient text research, sit in this topic. Learn something new about what Christmas means to Christ-followers. This fills our hearts with wonder for the busy season and gives us something new and exciting to teach our kids this year. Even if they can’t grasp it at the level that God showed you this year, share the truth with them.
- Be mindful of the mental health realities.
Acknowledge it. The holidays can be hard on you, your spouse, your kids, and your extended family. Do the work to prepare yourself to be around possibly unhealthy people. Put into perspective the love we are called to show as Christ-followers, even when it is hard. We are here to celebrate Jesus’s birth, and that is what it is all about. Maybe watch Charlie Brown Christmas if you need some help in this area. Linus gets it.
Practically for your kids, think of what you know they’ll need to stay regulated. Use age-appropriate tools like fidgets, headphones, comfort items, body movement, intentional connection time, or alone time. We can help our kids enjoy the celebrations best by loading our regulation toolbox.
Consider, “What structure can I keep as a constant when we travel/attend 100 parties/eat more sugar than we normally would in a whole week?” Will we be able to prioritize rest times and routines? What can my kids count on? Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road when you lie down, and when you get up.” This is our call as parents. Can I encourage you to fight for your family devotion time, no matter what? The Jesus Storybook Bible packs easily in a suitcase. Your family prayer time requires no trunk space. No matter where you are, let your kids count on hearing about Jesus from you today.
- Manage your expectations.
In this idea-soaked Pinterest and reels era, the parenting comparison trap is easy to fall into. Feel free to leverage premade tools and ideas, but don’t let them be the main thing. Your littles may not sit still for you to read Luke 2, or your preteen may insist on an interestingly non-traditional version of the Happy Birthday Jesus cake this year. You don’t even have to tell Instagram you did anything to celebrate Christmas! (gasps)
We can trust that if we do our best to celebrate the Savior with our kids, God will honor that. Remember that we don't get to choose when or if our kids accept salvation. Our job is to be obedient to plant these little truth seeds and trust that He will do a work in them that He already has planned.
No matter where you sit today, celebrate that Jesus came for you. For your family. Feel the excitement of a weary world rejoicing. Do your crafts, host your parties, wrap your presents, and read your stories out of an overflow of that.