Written by: Amy Lowe – Director of WinShape Camps for Girls and WinShape Camps for Families
Keeping Jesus at the Center of Christmas
The Christmas season is upon us. The darkness of this time of year is now lit up with twinkle lights. The cold breeze is made warmer with a hot cup of cocoa in hand. Friends and family begin to gather around fireplaces and dinner tables to enjoy good food and even better company. Christmas time is truly special, but if we’re not careful we can get swept up in the hustle and bustle.
Before we know it, January arrives, and we find ourselves packing away decorations, taking down the tree, and wishing we had savored the season more. (Yes, I need this reminder too!) I want this season to be fun, memorable, and intentional—and I want to make sure that at the center of Christmas, we remember what it’s truly about: celebrating and giving thanks for the birth of Christ.
So, let’s be intentional. Soak it in. Slow down. Fix your gaze on Jesus. Here are a few ways our family is aiming to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas this year, and I hope they help your family do the same.
10 Family Activities to Keep Jesus at the Center of Christmas
1. Find an Advent Devotional.
This is a wonderful time of year to start a family devotion routine. If your family already has one, an Advent devotional can be a fun way to switch things up and keep everyone engaged. And it’s easy—there are so many fantastic Advent devotionals available (some even free!).
Lifeway offers many Advent resources for kids and families. We’ve enjoyed a variety of books and calendars over the years, including Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas, The Advent Storybook, The Way to the Manger, and The Littlest Watchman. Lifeway also has a free family Advent guide you can use this season. The center of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ—so why not spend time reflecting on the best gift we could ever receive?
Additionally, here are Advent devotions that our staff have written, specifically for families:
- Advent Devotional: A Season of Love
- Advent Devotional: A Season of Peace
- Advent Devotion: A Season for Joy
- Advent Devotion: A Season of Hope
2. Discuss the Reason for the Season at Meals.
We use dinnertime as a natural opportunity to keep Jesus at the center. If you’ve ever received Table Topics Cards in a Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meal, you know how they can spark great conversations. We created our own list of Holiday-Themed Family Conversation Starters to help everyone participate in meaningful discussions around the table.
3. Use Christmas Decor to Point to Jesus.
Many of us display a manger scene as part of our Christmas decorations. Use yours as a tool to explore the story of Christ’s birth with your kids. Each day, focus on a different part of the nativity scene and refer to Scripture for details about that moment. Family Life also offers an ornament set with a devotional book, so you can incorporate this tradition on your Christmas tree.
4. Discuss Christ-Centered Christmas Movies.
We love Christmas movies! (Don’t tell anyone, but we sometimes sneak them in during July, October, or even March!) In December, we watch them almost nightly—so you better believe we’re pulling out something festive nearly every evening.
You might be surprised by how many films offer opportunities to talk about Jesus with your kids—especially those that directly highlight His story.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- The Star
- Charlie Brown Christmas
- Veggie Tales Little Drummer Boy
- The Three Wise Men
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
- Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers.
5. Use Christmas Music to Point to Jesus.
Don’t let Christmas music pass you by without conversation! This might be the easiest one because so many Christmas songs highlight the true meaning of the season. Turn on your favorite playlist and talk about the lyrics with your kids.
6. Plug into Church Activities.
Engage with your church’s holiday events! Many churches offer Advent experiences that can become meaningful traditions for your family. At our church, the kids perform a Christmas musical each year. They begin rehearsing in October and sing in a full worship service in early December. Learning songs about Jesus for months helps keep our hearts focused on Him—and those lyrics linger long after the performance.
Another cherished tradition is attending the Christmas Eve service together. We also read the account of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2 before bed on Christmas Eve—a ritual that centers our hearts on the true meaning of the season.
7. Serve and Give Back
The Christmas season is a wonderful time to move beyond being grateful for what we have and teach our kids the joy of giving. There are so many ways to serve this time of year—food banks, toy drives, shelters, and global gift catalogs—so take a moment as a family to pray, choose a cause, and decide how you’ll help.
Let your kids take the lead where they can. They might pick items from the pantry to donate, sort toys they’re ready to pass along, or do extra chores to earn money for gifts. Younger kids can help with simple tasks like labeling boxes or making “thank you” cards, while older kids can research organizations or help deliver donations.
Afterward, spend a few minutes reflecting on who you helped and how it felt. This simple conversation helps kids connect giving with gratitude and points their hearts back to Jesus—the ultimate example of generous, servant-hearted love.
A few great options to consider: Operation Christmas Child, Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Ministry, local shelters and ministries, or a World Vision Gift Catalog item.
8. Pray for Families as you Receive Christmas Cards in the Mail.
We always look forward to opening Christmas cards throughout December. It makes me laugh when my kids don’t recognize some of the faces—often friends from years past. When that happens, share a story or memory about that family.
Make it a tradition to pray for one family each night, either before dinner or at bedtime. It’s a simple way to extend the spirit of love and gratitude.
9. Bake Through the Bible at Christmas.
The Bake through the Bible at Christmas cookbook includes 12 Bible stories told in a simple, engaging way, each paired with a baking activity that reinforces the message. Discussion questions and a recap help carry the spiritual lesson from the kitchen into everyday conversation.
My kids love helping me bake anytime, but especially at Christmastime. This is a wonderful way to engage as a family while keeping Jesus at the center of the season—and your holiday baking!
10. Give the Gift of Camp for Christmas
Each Christmas, families face the same big question: “What goes under the tree this year?” If you’re looking for something meaningful, we know the perfect gift—camp!
If you register for an overnight or family camp before December 15 and fill out this form, you’ll receive a free gift from us to wrap and place under the tree!
I hope we all take time this season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus truly is the greatest gift of all, and modeling this for our kids is a meaningful investment in their faith journey. If you have other ideas, feel free to share them in the comments on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s encourage one another to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas and the focus of our families this season.
Written by: Amy Lowe – Director of WinShape Camps for Girls and WinShape Camps for Families