The Christmas season quickly approaches, and you probably feel the familiar holiday stress creeping in. It’s tempting to let our to-do lists consume our time, but do we really want our children to learn that the holiday season is stressful and chaotic? This Christmas, take time to teach your babies the reason for the season with a fun kids nativity tradition.
Don’t forget the true meaning of Christmas
It’s so easy to forget why we do what we do this time of year: why we buy gifts, why we decorate trees, and why we spend time with family. As believers, we know the why in our heads, but we sometimes forget to give thanks and live it out in the busyness of the season.
As parents, our littles are watching us and get their cues from our behavior. I know you want your family to understand the importance of Christ’s birth, so give this fun activity a try.
How to create a fun kids nativity tradition
This tradition is perfect for toddlers all the way through elementary school. Almost all children love to pretend, so get ready to spark those little imaginations.
First, gather your materials
There are a couple ways you can go with this kids nativity tradition. You can either use a wood or cloth nativity set, or (my personal preference) create simple costumes for the kids to dress up.
If you choose costumes, they can be as elaborate or simple as you like. The idea is to dress your kids (and if you only have one or two kiddos, mom and dad, too) like the various characters in the nativity story: Mary, Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, and a wise man or three (don’t worry, I know the wise men weren’t actually there when Jesus was born, despite what all our nativity sets allude to, but they still have an important part in the story).
Don’t stress about the costumes; a simple bathrobe and pillow case tied around the head will suffice for most of the male characters. Mary can wear a bathrobe and a simple shawl. Use a doll wrapped in a blanket to represent baby Jesus.
Finally, narrate the story
It’s important that kids know this story comes from the Bible and is a true story. Explain that Jesus’ birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas and either narrate the story from a children’s Bible or paraphrase yourself.
Hopefully, your kids are familiar with the story and can act it out without too much direction. But if they need help, take time to practice with them in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Don’t put pressure on them to make it a perfect performance; let them have fun!
Start this kids nativity tradition on Christmas morning
I suggest implementing this tradition on Christmas morning, before your family opens presents. Kids are often so excited for gifts that the miracle of Christ’s birth is forgotten.
Working this tradition into your Christmas festivities helps the entire family start Christmas Day out right and remember the reason for the season.
Remember to slow down a little bit this Christmas, mama. Your kids learn so much from watching you, and I know you want them to truly appreciate the meaning of this special holiday. I hope you try this fun kids nativity tradition and make it part of your family’s Christmas.
