As Christmas approaches, it’s a wonderful opportunity to create meaningful traditions that not only bring joy to our families but also keep our hearts centered on Christ. In our home, we have found that adjusting and simplifying our traditions over the years has allowed us to focus on what truly matters—the birth of our Saviour. Here, I’d like to share a few of the simple ways we celebrate this season, with the hope of inspiring your own Christ-centered traditions.

Simplifying Gift-Giving

In our family, we do put up a tree and exchange gifts, but we keep it simple by drawing names. This means that each person only needs to shop for one gift. It takes the pressure off while still allowing us to experience the joy of giving.

We’ve found that this not only keeps the focus off materialism but also encourages our children to think intentionally about blessing one another.

Creating an Advent Calendar of Activities

One tradition that has brought our family closer each year is creating an Advent calendar filled with activities rather than gifts. In the past, I included a small gift for each child every day, but as our family grew, that became overwhelming. Now, we write down an activity for each day of Advent, place them in envelopes, and hang them on a string. Each day, a different child gets to open an envelope and discover that day’s activity.

Some of our favourite activities include:

  • Reading a Christ-centered Christmas storybook
  • Taking an evening walk to admire the neighbourhood lights
  • Watching a beloved Christmas movie together
  • Baking and decorating cookies
  • Writing letters to grandparents or loved ones
  • Building a blanket fort and enjoying hot cocoa inside
  • Organizing a simple treasure hunt around the house

This has become one of our children’s most anticipated parts of the season, fostering togetherness and focusing on the joy of giving and sharing.

Focusing on Christ with Advent Devotions

Another cherished tradition is doing an Advent devotional together as a family. We gather each evening to read, pray, and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s coming. This time allows us to pause amid the busyness of the season and remind ourselves why we celebrate.

Here are some resources we’ve found especially meaningful:

Additionally, we love to go caroling in our neighbourhood, bringing homemade cookies and a gospel tract to share the good news of Christ with others. This simple act of kindness has opened doors to meaningful conversations and has been a sweet way to witness during the holiday season.

A Christmas Focused on Christ

As you consider what traditions to incorporate into your home this Christmas, remember that the goal is not to check off activities but to draw your family’s hearts closer to Christ. Christmas is a celebration of our Saviour, who came to be fully man yet fully God, to redeem us. May your home be filled with the joy and peace that only He can bring as you celebrate His birth.

Have a truly blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to be fully man yet fully God.