5 Christmas Devotions for Families to Share
There’s one question on every Christian parent’s heart as they enter into the holiday season with their family:
What’s the best way to share the true meaning of Christmas with my children?
It’s not an easy question to answer. On one hand, you want your kids to enjoy all the fun that’s wrapped up in the “commercial” ways our culture celebrates Christmas. You want them to watch Frosty the Snowman. To sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” while hanging ornaments on the tree. To feel the excitement of going to bed on Christmas Eve, practically bursting with excitement to open their presents and stockings on Christmas morning.
But you also want to make sure your family doesn’t get so swept up in the festivities that they forget why this holiday exists in the first place. You want your children to know the story of the Nativity, to grow in worship and love for our Savior Jesus, and to appreciate the deeper meaning of this holiday—not just the decorations and traditions that surround it.
When we first became parents, we wrestled with this balance too. Over time, we discovered something: sharing the true meaning of Christmas with our kids doesn’t mean we have to become the “fun police.” We can invite the fun into those lessons.
One of the most meaningful ways we’ve done this is by pairing simple devotions and prayers with playful, child-friendly activities that let kids experience the message through hands-on moments. That’s why today, we’re sharing five Christmas devotions and activities your family can enjoy together:
1. God’s Messengers
Activity
Create a long, winding path of Christmas ribbon from one end of your home to the other. Give two kids each an end of the ribbon. When you say, “Go,” have them follow the ribbon until they meet each other in the middle.
Scripture
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)
Reflection
I love our family! You’re my favorite people and I never want anything to come between us. I’d follow a ribbon all the way around the world to be with you! That’s how it is when you love someone with your whole heart.
That’s how God feels about us, too. Yet when sin entered the world, every person became separated from him. It was as if the “ribbon,” or the way to be together with him, had been cut. The world was broken and doomed to die apart from him. God loved the people he created too much to leave them lost and alone. He sent Jesus to be “the way and the truth and the life” so everyone can be united to our Father God. (John 14:6)
That’s why we celebrate Christmas–this is the greatest news the world has ever known! You and I are called God’s ambassadors as his messengers of peace. We’re sent out with the good news so others can draw close to him. We carry God’s invitation to repent and believe. Through our message, the world can know his love.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to make a way to you. Because he came into this world, we know we are loved. We receive the gifts of forgiveness and salvation. We have the incredible hope of life with you, forever. This Christmas, may we celebrate the gift of Jesus with our whole hearts. Show us how to share the good news as your messengers of peace, so others can know your love too. Amen.
2. Never Forgotten
Activity
Place ten Christmas ornaments or decorations on the table. Give the children 30 seconds to look at the items and memorize them. Cover the table with a sheet and see how many of the objects they can list by memory. For an extra challenge, repeat the game twice with added items each time.
Scripture
“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison…I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. (Genesis 40: 14-15, 23)
Reflection
If we’re late and rushing out the door, it’s easy to forget a lunchbox or library book. When we feel tired or sick, an appointment on the calendar might slip our minds. How many times have we shopped for groceries, only to come home without the one thing we needed most? With our full and busy days, we simply can’t remember it all.
It’s one thing to forget where we put the keys, but forgetting our friends and family is another. Busy schedules can distract us from caring for others. Grandparents might feel lonely but we forget to write or call. We run off with our friends instead of including a new classmate. A pet’s food dish can sit empty while we head out to play. We become so caught up in our own concerns, we leave others behind.
Jesus said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) His kind of love never forgets! With his help, he’ll make us faithful people who remember to love like him.
Prayer
Lord, it’s a comfort to know that we’re always on your mind. This Christmas, help us to remember who needs our kindness and love. Open our eyes to see who might feel lonely. Show us how to help those who are hungry or cold. Spark creative ideas for how to say “I love you” to the special people who make a difference in the life of our family. May we remember the gift of Jesus as we bless those around us this Christmas. Amen.
3. Our Giving God
Activity
Pass out ten sticky notes to each child. After writing their names on each note, guide them to use the sticky notes to label belongings—and the wrapped gifts under the tree–that belong to them. When they return to you, attach a “God” label to their shirts to show who they belong to.
Scripture
I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. (Psalm 50:9-11)
Reflection
If I’m honest, it can be hard to share the things that are mine. I worry and wonder, What if my things get lost or broken? What if they’re used up and I don’t have what I need? What if I’m unappreciated or someone takes advantage of me? If I share with others, how do I know they’ll share with me too? It’s tempting to say, “Mine!” and keep all we have for ourselves.
God, on the other hand, has no worries. He owns everything he has created. God has no use of our money or possessions to fill his stomach or meet his needs. Because of his unlimited riches and his great love, he shares generously with you and me.
How has God provided for our family today? Are we awake and alive? Warm and safe? Do we have food in our kitchen and warm clothes in our closets? Are colorful packages wrapped and waiting underneath the tree? Do we have friends and loved ones to share our days? Are we able to work, learn, and enjoy the beauty outdoors? When God opens his hand, we are satisfied with good things. (Psalm 104:28)
Because God is generous to us, we can share with others. Let’s love and give like him.
Prayer
Lord, in this Christmas season we remember how blessed we truly are. Thank you for your generous love that supplies all we need. Thank you for the beauty around us and the special memories we create together, year after year. May we never forget that all we have is from you. Open our hands to share our blessings and show your kindness to others. Amen.
4. Hearts Made New
Activity
Gather several old, tarnished coins of little value. Mix a cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of salt in a bowl. Place the coins in the solution and watch them become clean and shiny like new.
Scripture
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Reflection
In the beginning, God created people in his image. Human beings shared his creative imagination. His goodness. His wisdom. They spent time with God face-to-face, as Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. But when sin came into the world, it destroyed the perfect beauty of all God made. Men and women, girls and boys still bear God’s image, but they have been corrupted, deceived, and separated from God.
You and I see this in ourselves. We struggle with bad attitudes. We want our own way, and we hurt others to have it. What’s good can seem bad, and what’s wrong seems right. Even with good intentions, we fail to be honest, caring, or kind. We need the rescue of a Savior to give us a new mind, heart, and life.
By God’s great love, he sent Jesus into this world. That is the wonderful reason we celebrate Christmas! When we believe in him, we’re changed from the inside out. He makes us holy like we were created to be from the beginning. We love instead of hate. Give instead of take. Know and tell the truth instead of lies. The wrong in us is made right. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus who makes us new from the inside out. Show us what it means to love others with kindness. Help us to understand your Word and believe what it says. Soften our hearts so we are quick to forgive, happy to share, and compassionate when others are hurting. May your love keep working to renew our hearts every day. Amen.
5. Messiah is Born
Activity
Spend time looking through baby pictures with your children. Share your memories of how each child blessed your lives from the day they were born. Listen to the song “A Baby Changes Everything.”
Scripture
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Reflection
Babies are tiny and helpless. They have no voice—no money, power, or authority–to influence the world. Yet when you were brought into our family, we were filled with love and happiness. You were so little, but you made a huge impact on our lives! Because of you, our family has never been the same.
Jesus came into this world as a baby, just like you. He not only changed the lives of Mary and Joseph, but his birth changed the whole course of history. He left his throne in heaven so people could see the face of God himself. They heard God’s message of love and salvation with their own ears. As Jesus grew up, he brought teaching and healing like the world had never known before. He was born so he could die for us and give us life forever. Since he came into the world, he made a way to God the Father for all who believe.
Jesus was the one baby who still changes lives today. He brings help, hope, peace, courage, and life in him forever. Let’s thank God for his birth right now.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for sending Jesus into this world as a baby. Thank you for loving us so much, you would give us your only Son so we could know you, love you, and be with you for eternity. This Christmas, may we celebrate from hearts that love you with all that we are. You are our peace and joy forever. Amen.
Setting up activities like these and watching our kids’ eyes light up as they have fun and experience those “aha” lightbulb moments about our Savior is one of our absolute favorite parts of the holiday season.
We hope your children enjoy these activities as much as ours have! If you give any of these a try, please contact us and let us know how it went, we would absolutely love to hear your story!
We believe that starting conversations with your kids is the best way to gently guide them as they build a relationship with God.
If you’d like more resources to spark meaningful dialogue with your family throughout the year, grab a copy of our Conversation Starters for Families. Each of the 44 double-sided cards poses a question paired with an inspiring scripture verse or quote. Topics include friendship, hopes and dreams for the future, emotions, creativity and learning, and much more.
And if you’re looking for more ways to embrace the fun, silly side of Christmas while still being sure that your kids are enjoying age-appropriate content, our Laugh-Out-Loud Christmas bundle is always a crowd pleaser.
