Q. The Christmas and New Year holiday season is upon us. My husband and I are looking for ways our family can celebrate the birth of Jesus while acknowledging He wasn’t born on December 25 by recognizing He came to earth to save us. We want our children to make this a time of spiritual renewal, creating family memories, and caring for others instead of getting caught up in the self-centered commercialism of the season. Please help us.
A. The Christmas and New Year season gives Christian families unique opportunities to establish meaningful traditions that reinforce faith, strengthen family bonds, and nurture emotional well-being. By intentionally creating celebrations that honor the true meaning of Christmas while fostering connection and generosity, your family can build a lasting legacy for years to come.
The foundation of meaningful Christmas traditions begins with keeping Christ at the center. You can establish a practice during the Christmas and New Year season to center your family worship on reading Bible passages on the birth of Christ. Tracing the lineage of Jesus and applying it to your relationship with God will help your children understand the broader narrative of God’s redemptive plan.
Holiday traditions that strengthen family bonds often become the most treasured memories. Consider implementing a “Christmas Eve Box” tradition where family members receive new pajamas, a hot drink, and a special book to read together. This will create anticipation and comfort while establishing a peaceful routine during a season of excitement. You may also have each family member share their gratitude for other family members during Christmas dinner, nurturing emotional connection and appreciation.
Teaching your children to look beyond themselves during a commercially driven season is crucial for their spiritual and emotional development.
Teaching your children to look beyond themselves during a commercially driven season is crucial for their spiritual and emotional development. You may adopt an “Others First” December calendar, where each day features a different act of service or kindness. This could include volunteering at a soup kitchen, creating care packages for the homeless, or secret acts of kindness for neighbors. These experiences will help your children develop empathy and understand the joy of giving rather than just receiving.
Transforming holiday celebrations into opportunities for meaningful impact requires intentional planning. You may also establish a “Legacy Project” where you collectively choose a cause to support throughout the year, culminating in a special Christmas initiative. This could involve sponsoring a child in need, supporting missionaries, or contributing to a community project. Such traditions will teach your children about long-term commitment to caring for others while demonstrating how family resources can be used for Kingdom purposes.
Research consistently shows that meaningful family traditions contribute significantly to psychological well-being. They provide security and predictability for children, strengthen family identity, and create positive associations. When these traditions are anchored in faith and service, they help develop a robust moral framework and sense of purpose.
The transition to the New Year offers an ideal opportunity for families to reflect and set objectives together. A formidable tradition may involve creating a family time capsule of prayers, goals, and letters to open the following year. This practice encourages accountability, demonstrates God’s faithfulness, and helps family members support each other’s spiritual and personal growth.
By establishing these intentional traditions, your family can create a counter-cultural celebration that honors Christ, strengthens your family relationships, serves others, and promotes emotional health.
To be sure, the Bible offers, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
You and your family are in our prayers as you make the holidays an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus, to each other, and to establish altruistic values in your children.
Bible references are from the New King James Version.