If you asked your kids where they should go to find the true meaning of Christmas, would they answer “the mall?” Gift-giving was a noble part of the Christmas story, but there was a lot more to it. The Story of Christmas tool will help you take your children on a journey to the heart of Christmas. The story has 7 parts and takes place in 7 locations. There are lots of ways you can use the story. We have listed some, but I encourage you, creative moms, to list your ideas in the comments below.
Here are 8 ideas for using The Story of Christmas.
1. Use your own manger scene figures with the story, or cut out the figures we have provided.
2. Stage each part of the story in a different part of the house.
For example, the angel may have appeared to Mary in the kitchen. Today’s version of the manger could be the garage. The shepherds would be outside in the yard. King Herod would be in your best room.
3. Read one part of the story every night for a week before Christmas.
Or load up the camel (that would be Dad) and give the kids a ride from place to place all in one night.
4. Give each of the children a story figure to hold and allow them to act out the story as you read it.
5. If your children can read well, allow them to narrate the story.
6. Incorporate household props to make it fun.
For example, a dishtowel with a shoelace tied around a child’s head makes a great shepherd hat. Crowns can be cut out from this template for the kings. A pastel sheet wrapped around a child and tied with a rope makes a great Mary dress. Wrap your angel with a white sheet and put a little garland on her head.
7. The Magi were the gift givers from which we get the gift-giving tradition of Christmas.
An effective way to limit gifts and point children back to the real meaning of gifts at Christmas is to tell your children they will get 3 gifts just as Jesus received 3 gifts. If your children believe in Santa you can throw in a fourth gift from him or have Santa fill the stockings. Here are 13 ideas for stockings or gift baskets.
8. End your story with a birthday celebration – A Baby Jesus Birthday Party.
We recommend red velvet cake as a festive tradition your children will beg for.
Tell us! How will you use the Christmas Story printable?
