People of Jesus, not just the holiday.
By Kathryn Day, Bible Teacher
With the start of the Christmas season underway here at FPDS, in your churches, and in your homes, here are a few encouragements to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as we celebrate His coming into the world…
1. Read the Christmas story straight out of the Bible - Over the next few weeks, we will likely be hearing small portions of the Christmas story here and there. Select verses will be written on Christmas cards and on church bulletins and Christmas programs. Instead of just reading sections of the Christmas story, take time to actually read the whole story of Christmas from the Bible with your children. While Luke 2 is the most famous Christmas passage, both Matthew and John begin their gospel books with words about the humanity of Jesus. While adults are more familiar with the various details of the Christmas story, don’t forget that children are still LEARNING! They are especially curious this time of year, and what a privilege we have to tell them the truth about how Christ came into the world to save sinners.
2. Listen to Christmas hymns - One of the greatest blessings of our FPDS chapel and music classes this time of year is getting to hear children sing Christmas hymns. There are so many fun Christmas songs on the radio and playing in the stores, but what a gift to teach your children Christmas hymns that remind us of the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. So when you turn on Christmas music at home, start with the hymns that point your children back to the manger, the glory of angels that filled the sky, the little town of Bethlehem, and the holy night that Christ the Savior was born. One suggested station is “Christmas Hymn Radio” on Pandora.
3. Christmas card prayers - What does your family do with all those Christmas cards you get in the mail? Here is an idea - pray specifically for the families who send you a card! Each day when you receive cards in the mail, let your children be in charge of opening the envelope and praying for that family or friend before bed. Not only will they be excited to open some mail, but it will cultivate a habit of prayer for people they know and love.
4. Jesse Tree - The beauty of the Old Testament is seeing how God’s plan to send a Savior can be traced through every story, beginning all the way back in Genesis 3. The purpose of the Jesse Tree is to look more closely at the coming of the Savior through the stories of the Old Testament. There are numerous ways to make a Jesse Tree. The link below includes daily Scripture readings (December 1 - 25) and printable ornaments. You can easily use a stick from your yard as the “tree” to hang these ornaments! There are lots of resources online, but check this out for an easy place to start!
https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/10999/documents/2020/12/Jesse%20Tree%20Ornaments.pdf
Also, the First Presbyterian Church bookstore is a great resource for purchasing children’s picture books, family devotionals (including Jesse Tree), and more!
5. Go to church - The best way to slow down and prepare your heart and the hearts of your children for Christmas is by being in church on Sundays. Most of our churches will be teaching more intentionally on Jesus’ birth over the next few weeks. The best gift we can give our children this season is to teach them the importance of worshiping the One who came such a great distance to save sinners like us.