Why our family loves the Shepherd on the Search: A Christ-centered Christmas tradition

A plush shepherd doll sits on a mantel next to a book titled,

In our home, a variety of Advent activities have passed through over the years. Our Nativity set still has a prominent role in our Christmas decorations. (One memorable year, an entire vanload of Playmobil© and Fisher-Price® people lined up to take in the scene!) Our kids also treasure their chocolate Advent calendars, a tradition begun years ago by an Austrian friend from church who would give one to each child every year. And on each of the four Sundays in Advent, we light a candle on our Advent wreath as we recall prophecies and themes of preparing the way.

But among all these traditions, DaySpring’s Shepherd on the Search has found a special way to blend into Advent preparation and holiday rituals. With its charming story about a shepherd’s diligent journey to find the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, the Shepherd on the Search connects us not just to the joy of the Christ child’s arrival but to our own anticipation and preparation of our hearts for Christmas.

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Is the Shepherd on the Search a book or a plush?  

It’s both! There’s a book for parents or grandparents to open on the first day of Advent, the first day of December, or even a week or two ahead of Christmas, and is sure to become cherished. It’s paired with a plush shepherd that really gets the kids excited and invested.

This joyful, interactive shepherd is a companion the kids can connect with all season long as a reminder of the anticipation and wonder of Advent and the joy of finding the baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Day.

What do you do with the shepherd?  

Each evening (let’s be honest…sometimes it happens in the morning!), we find a special place to tuck him…not too high, not too hard, somewhere safe—a just-right spot. The kids’ delight and laughter as they find the shepherd in a new hiding place each day is a holiday treasure we appreciate as the years go by and those sweet little voices and giggles have gradually grown up.

Counting down to Christmas Day with the fun of hiding and finding this simple shepherd plush creates a meaningful, Christ-centered way to revisit the Nativity story, connect our own Advent observance to the simplicity of a shepherd’s journey to Bethlehem, and keep our family’s focus turned toward the newborn King.

A plush shepherd doll sits on a mantel next to a book titled,

Can you touch the shepherd?  

Rules on handling the shepherd can be set by parents. I say yes, and here’s my reasoning: young kids are full of wonder, and I want to avoid confusion about the mystical aspects of spirituality. Our shepherd has neither magical powers nor mystical abilities. Also, since the kids are allowed to touch him, they can hug, hold and have a chat with him, which brings joy, too. But they can’t hide him. Our fun is hiding him—their fun is finding him.

We appreciate that the kids are enjoying the game and that, instead of becoming absorbed by the idea of earning gifts through good behavior, they are led like the shepherd to the feet of Christ. The daily excitement of the search and the story contribute to a faith-filled perspective through the season, simplifying the daily practice of honoring the prophecy and preparing the way for a Christ-centered celebration on Christmas Day.

What are some other ideas for incorporating the Shepherd on the Search into my kids’ Christmas celebrations?  

Reading the storybook, hiding and finding the shepherd, and enjoying treasured time together during Advent reflect the value of simplicity. However, there are many ways to extend the fun!

  • If you decide to let children in on it, let each family member have a turn moving the shepherd to a different spot for the search.
  • Designate a time in the day for parents or kids to share simple reflections about Advent. At the breakfast table, before bedtime prayers, or while dinner is being set all make great times for engagement and sharing.
  • Settle into the sofa with your shepherd each evening and welcome children into a family discussion about Jesus’ birth. Ask them for their ideas on preparing the way or let them share where they have experienced anticipation like the shepherd’s in their own day. Reveal stories from your own childhood, sharing the ways you celebrated the season and encountered Jesus in the manger as a child.
  • Let children draw and color scenes to leave out for the shepherd that reflect parts of the Christmas story. Encourage them to imagine how the shepherd must have felt during his search and upon meeting the baby Jesus in the manger.
  • For young readers, write or print out faith-filled messages of encouragement or support, favorite Scriptures and prayers, or acts of kindness onto strips of paper to place with the shepherd each day.
  • Do your kids play an instrument? The shepherd would make a great audience as they practice their holiday tunes.
  • On our hearth, we keep a book basket filled with children’s stories and devotionals perfect for the holiday season (as well as for various reading levels!). Gather your festive and faith-filled children’s books in one cozy corner and invite your children to read these stories aloud to the shepherd.

What are some specific Bible verses I could incorporate into our Shepherd on the Search traditions?  

After reading or re-reading the Shepherd on the Search, open the Bible and share some of the meaningful Old Testament verses of prophecy, anticipation and hope:

  • “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2 NKJV
  • “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
  • “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 NKJV
  • “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 NKJV
  • “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Numbers 24:17 NKJV
  • “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1 NIV
  • “ ‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.’ ” Jeremiah 23:5 NKJV

 

Spend time reading and referencing meaningful Scriptures in the New Testament relevant to the season, such as the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, the birth of Jesus, the adoration of the shepherds and the visit of the Wise Men:

  • Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary: Luke 1:26-38
  • Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-25
  • Adoration of the Shepherds: Luke 2:8-20
  • Visit of the Wise Men: Matthew 2:1-12

 

With all the excitement that surrounds Christmas preparations and celebrations, keeping our focus on the miracle that inspired the season isn’t always easy. But the daily fun of hiding and finding this simple shepherd plush and engaging with the charming storybook offers a meaningful way to revisit the Nativity story, infuse each year’s Advent observance with the simplicity of a shepherd’s journey to Bethlehem and keep our hearts turned toward the newborn King.