Teaching about Christ's birth

We've been talking to the children about Jesus' birthday since we set up the Christmas tree on December 7th. That's what they think Christmas is all about and I'm glad. They couldn't even name Santa when they saw him at a church activity- for that I am glad too. We've been trying to focus on Christ and giving. We let the children pick presents for each other and for us. We've been teaching them "Away in a Manger". Their friends started singing Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nose reindeer and they couldn't sing along. But whenever they hear Away in a Manger they can sing along. I have also been teaching the "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" and Timothy's been teaching them "Silent Night". Those are the types of songs we want our children to associate with Christmas, not the Santa and Snow ones.

By tonight (Christmas Eve) they have a little idea about the story of Santa and are looking forward to their stocking being filled, but we've casually mentioned we're pretending Santa is coming because we don't want to lie to them. I'm sure many of you do things differently in your families and it's okay to have differing opinions, this is just the way we have chosen to handle the mythical characters in our children's lives.

Anyway, tonight we helped them act out the nativity while we read Luke 2.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.


They really seemed to enjoy it. We also sang some carols and talked about the symbols of Christmas.

We helped them set up their stockings on the couch before we got them into bed.

Timothy made the stockings, don't they look great?! I helped a bit with the white and put their names on.

We hope you all are having a great Christmas! Remember Christ as you celebrate for He gave us the most glorious gift of all!

Merry Christmas