Keeping Christ at the center of Christmas: Meaningful ways to celebrate Jesus this holiday season

Two decor items made of white ceramic—one a water globe with gold stars floating in it, the other a simple, two-piece tabletop figurine set—depict the Nativity, with Joseph kneeling near Mary as she sits holding the baby Jesus.

Christmas is a favorite holiday for many of us. The excitement of the first snowfall, Christmas lights and carols, homes filled with scents of baked goods and spices and, of course, a tree surrounded by love all make the holidays so heartwarming! But as we know, with the merry-ness comes moments of fatigue, stress and, for some, a longing for what used to be.

If you’re a follower of the Christian faith who loves Christmas but struggles to stay grounded in the rush of it all, we have some uplifting ways to help you keep Jesus at the center of the holiday. You may find that focusing on His love and kindness help you stay rooted in what truly matters.

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What does it mean to keep Christ at the center of the season?  

Keeping Christ at the center of your Christmas celebrations means focusing on the miracle of his birth and reflecting on the ways he lived his life—healing the brokenhearted, freeing captives, comforting those who mourn and giving us joy in exchange for our sorrow. (Isaiah 61:1–3)

We can focus on these uplifting attributes through prayer, worship, scripture reading and caring for others.

A helpful note: Choose a few practices below that fit your schedule and seasonal hopes, rather than trying to do everything listed. These things should bring you joy and peace, not feel like you’re adding another “to-do” to your list for the season. 🕊️

What are some ways to keep Christ at the center of Christmas?  

Here are some simple, heartfelt ways to keep Jesus at the center of your holiday season. ✨

  • Have a weekly movie night about Jesus in December. You could also watch the series The Chosen about His life with His disciples.
  • For a Christ-centered tradition the kids will love, think about incorporating the Shepherd on the Search into your Advent season. Read how one writer has incorporated this beloved plush and book into her own family’s activities here.
  • Make a gratitude jar of all the prayers the Lord has answered or times when He has shown you that He loves you.
  • Make or purchase an Advent calendar that reveals a figure from the Nativity and a new verse from the Nativity story (from Luke or Matthew) to read each day. On Christmas Eve, the scene should be complete, and you should have enough verses to tell the whole Nativity story.
  • Read the story of the Magi (the three Wise Men) visiting Jesus before opening presents Christmas morning. (Matthew 2:1–12)
  • Pick a fruit of the Spirit that you feel you’re lacking this season (peace, joy, patience, etc.) and meditate on it. Find Scripture that speaks about how Jesus lived out this fruit and pray for the Holy Spirit to increase it in you.
  • Make celebrating the birth of Jesus engaging for kids with a birthday party in His honor. You could bake a cake together, sing hymns and gift acts of kindness to others in honor of His birth.
  • Give Christian Christmas gifts that inspire or encourage or are centered around acts of service and love towards others.
  • Attend holiday events put on by local churches, such as a living Nativity, Christmas concert or children’s Christmas program.
  • Sit in nature with your Bible and a journal to reflect on what your faith means to you and how you can be an authentic example of Christ’s love in your community.
  • Set up Nativity-focused Christmas décor in your home or office space, so that you can easily be reminded of the miracle of His birth.
  • Read a chapter of the Gospels each day leading up to Christmas.
  • Read about the history or origin of a Christ-themed Christmas carol, then share what you’ve learned and sing it with family or friends.
  • Choose a Bible verse to memorize or reflect on throughoutthe month of December. You could also choose one verse for each week of Advent.
  • Spend time as a family imagining the Christmas story from the perspective of different people—Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, etc.
  • Read Scripture about the ways Jesus served, loved and stood up for the poor and marginalized. Pray for His guidance on how to follow His example.
  • Read a daily devotional that focuses on Advent.
  • If you enjoy reading secular works in addition to faith-based ones at Christmastime, you could readCharles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as a family, then talk about how Scrooge’s transformation mirrors the way Jesus’ love can change a heart.
  • Walk around your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors while enjoying the Christmas lights.
  • Decorate your tree with Christian ornaments or set up a second tree with a Christian theme in a quiet space that encourages reflection.
  • Light candles for each day of Advent and focus on a mantra of gratitude of love and faith.

What are ways to reflect Christ’s love?  

Here are some fun Christian Christmas activities to show the love of Christ to those around you. 💗

  • As the Christmas shopping frenzy begins, remember to be patient and kind to strangers who may not be in a great mood.
  • Start a coat and glove drive with friends and family for the homeless! You can take donations to a shelter or personally hand them out to those in need. You could also include hot meals.
  • Create an Advent kindness calendar: Rather than getting small gifts or candy,include a challenge for a kind act each day to reflect the love of Jesus. This Nativity scene Advent calendar would be perfect!
  • Participate as a family in a program that helps you provide gifts for a family in need.
  • Gift someone this cross necklace as a reminder that they matter and are loved by God.
  • Host a Christmas dinner for friendswho don’t have family  This set of DaySpring ceramic bowls is great for hosting the holidays.
  • Give yourself or someone you love a break from the holiday stress with this spa basket.
  • Be kind to someone who is struggling to feel seen and heard and might be labeled as “less than” in society. Show them the way of Jesus through actions, not just words.
  • Volunteer at an animal shelter. Adopt if you can!
  • Don’t forget to show love and kindness to yourself, too! Make time for things that bring you joy as you prepare for the holidays.
Three Christmas cards featuring scripture and imagery recalling the Nativity stand on a tabletop with gifts and glass ball ornaments.

What are meaningful ways to share the Christmas message without it feeling forced?  

These ideas will help you share the hopeful message of Christmas with others in a loving way. 🎄

  • Have your friends and family shower someone dealing with a hardship (like a diagnosis or recent loss) with Christmas cards with Scripture to uplift them.
  • If theweather is nice or you live in an area without snow and ice, chalk your driveway with oversize Bible verses and faith drawings. This Crayola® chalk set would work great!
  • Use windowpaints to write Scripture on your front door or windows or decorate with Christian Christmas décor inside and around your home for visitors to enjoy.
  • Sing carols or bring Jesus-centered Christmas gifts to a children’s hospital. This Jesus plush or this Christmas angel plush would be good gift options!
  • Write a Bible verse about hope in all your Christian Christmas cards.
  • Help lead a Christmas play about the birth of Jesus for kids at your church or school. You could use your gifts to make props like costumes, write the script, arrange the songs, etc.
  • Hand out small, inexpensive gifts to strangers with a note of encouragement or one of these “prayers of comfort” cards.
  • Kids can draw anddeliver holiday pictures to a senior community. Print some free faith-based coloring pages here.

Keeping Jesus at the center of the Christmas season is so much more than traditions, endless acts of giving, and elaborate celebrations. It’s about self-reflection and noticing where you can model your life after His heart.

However the holidays have you feeling, we hope these faith-filled ideas bring you closer to what matters most: love. Share it near and far and may you receive it back twice as much.