Are you looking for some simple Christmas devotional ideas for the family to make this Christmas season more meaningful? This time of year is filled with so many fun things to do, but highlighting the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story can get lost in the mix. I hope that this list of ideas gives you a tangible way to celebrate with much joy this year.
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Celebrate the Names of Jesus Christ
One simple way to celebrate the Christmas season is to recall all of the names of Jesus Christ. Throughout God’s Word, there are many different ways to understand Christ. Talk about these with your young children and recall God’s faithfulness.
- Emmanuel (God with Us)
- Christ Jesus
- Lord
- Master
- Son of God
- Logos (the Word)
- Son of Man
- Lamb of God
- Light of the World
- Son of David
- Rabbi
- Alpha and Omega
- Bread of Life
- Deliverer
- Good Shepherd
- Messiah
- Prince of Peace
- Savior
- Way, Truth and Life
- King of Kings
If you have older children, have them look up the Bible verses that reflect these names. These would make perfect Advent readings for family devotions during the month of December.
Make a Chrismon Tree
One of my favorite Christmas Eve memories is watching the Chrismon Christmas tree being decorated. The Chrismon ornaments are usually made of white felt, cardboard or foam and decorated with gold trim or beading. However, you can also easily print these templates and let your family members color these in. (I don’t get too worried about what colors they use. Just have fun!) As you color these in, let this be a part of your Advent devotionals! Use the time to talk about these representations of the life of Christ.
Hang up a paper Christmas tree and attach these. We hang ours on the kitchen wall during the holiday season. Or, you could also compile them into a Christmas devotional book to keep from year to year.
Conversation Starters for Christmas Devotional Ideas
Our second daughter gave us the sweetest Christmas gift last year: a mason jar filled with conversation starters for dinner time. We love handmade gifts! It gives her so much joy to pull out these discussion questions and it’s a fun way to reconnect each evening.
During this wonderful time of the year, it’s the perfect opportunity to make up some Christmas related questions. Feel free to download the questions below. Cut them out and add them to your dinner table. It could also make a perfect gift for a grandparent or close friend. Here are a few of our favorites:
- What was your favorite Christmas present and why?
- What’s your favorite Christmas carol?
- What do you look forward to most at Christmas time?
- Favorite thing on our Christmas tree?
- What’s your favorite part of the Christmas story?
- Favorite Christmas memory?
- If you had to pick one Christmas cookie, which is your favorite?
- Favorite holiday movie?
- Ideas for the perfect Christmas Eve?
- What is your favorite Christmas book?
- What do you remember the most about the Nativity story?
- Let’s discuss our favorite Christmas foods.
Light the Advent Candles
Our kids love lighting the Advent candles every night during Advent. Each Sunday, we light a new candle during the month of December and remind our kids which candle stands for: hope, love, joy and peace. For more tips on how to celebrate the good news of God’s gift of Christ with your kids, check out this post. This is also the perfect time to talk with your kids about how to let your light shine throughout the year.
Here is a link to our favorite Advent wreath and candles.
Bible Readings for Christmas Devotional Ideas
Of course, December is the perfect time to share Jesus’ birth and the story of Christ with your family. Here are a few of our favorites that can lead to great discussions and quiet time with your kids.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:18-23 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew Nativity Readings
Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Luke Nativity Readings
Luke 1:26-32 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel of the Lord went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.”
Christmas Devotional Ideas: Read Christmas Cards
During Christmas time, think about pulling out received Christmas cards from years past. Take a moment to pray over each family, maybe one each night at dinner time. You can also purchase some old-fashioned Christmas cards and spend time writing to loved ones, especially family, teachers, and neighbors. A classic way to say Merry Christmas!
Pull out the Christmas Nativity Sets
One of our favorite Christmas devotional ideas is to pull out our various Nativity sets. There is really nothing like retelling the story of the first Christmas morning with a nativity. Our toddler pulls out the plastic version (which always has a missing animal by night 2), the big kids love the ceramic version, and my husband sets out the one he purchased in the Middle East.
Read Alouds for Christmas Devotional Ideas
Of course, sharing a good story aloud with your family is the perfect way to celebrate the birth of Christ. In fact, our collection of Christmas books is one of our favorite boxes to unpack during the holiday season. Try a few of these with your family this year.
Beginners Bible Very First Christmas
Advent Storybook Bible Stories
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
Christmas Caroling
One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas with your friends and family is old-fashioned Christmas caroling. Pick some great hymns and Christmas tunes to celebrate the real meaning of the holiday. Some great classic songs include:
Silent Night
Joy to the World
Away in a Manger
O Come, All Ye Faithful
I hope this list of Christmas devotional ideas for your family gives you encouragement during this special season. Be sure to check out my other holiday posts this year!
Favorite Children’s Christmas Books
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