In preparation to tell the Christmas story.
1. Be reminded that God’s Son Jesus came to earth as a little child to rescue humankind from their sins and to bring people back into relationship with God the Father for eternity. (John 3:16) Emphasize to your child that Jesus is a very special person. God’s Son. We can know and love him, thank him, sing songs to praise him. Jesus came to help us know what God is like.
2. Consider the age and stage of development of preschoolers. Also consider how children of this age group experience God and how they best learn. Any sharing of the Christmas story will be more effective if these factors determine your choice of story or approach.
Note particularly that the focus on faith development at this age is on experiencing the awe and wonder of God.
Children of these ages are literalists so be careful that you tell make clear what is the truth from the Bible and what is just a made up story.
Children of this age won’t remember all the details or the order of the shepherds, wise men, Mary & Joseph going to Bethlehem etc. The atmosphere of expectation, surprise, joy, peace, celebration are things that they will be able to identify with. Pray often that God will help your child trust him and love him.
Let your children see you read the story from a children’s Bible. Talk about how great it is that God has given us this special book so we can learn more about him.
The parent’s attitude to the sharing of the story will be a powerful communicator at this age. If the coming of Jesus as God’s Son into the world is important and wonderful to the parent then this will be seen by the child. There is the danger that children will rather hear their parents griping about Christmas- costs, advertising, family arrangements and this could overshadow the central truth.
Use even the ads on TV as a talking point with your children about what they are selling and what is important to your family about buying and giving.
Some discussion needs to take place by both parents about how your family is going to deal with Santa Claus/Father Christmas. Are you going to tell them he is real or not real and when?
In our family we decided to tell our children that Santa was a fun character like Professor Starshine or Humphrey Bear�. We enjoyed the fun surrounding Santa without going into the presents from Santa and putting food out for him etc..) At the same time we talked often to our children that the name CHRISTmas comes from Jesus CHRIST who is real and very special. So Christmas is really about Christ.
3. The sharing of the Christmas story should be many tellings of the story in different ways and in different contexts as the child grows.
Activities might include
. Making an Advent calendar or Christmas decorations, cooking, shopping, making gifts or cards for others. Talking together about why you are doing these things.
· Dressing up and acting out the nativity or using puppets to tell the story. (Why not turn out the lights and light a candle while the Christmas story is read or acted out.)
. Listening and singing Christmas carols like 'Away in a Manger' and talking about the words.
· Reading picture story books or making our own Family Christmas Book which the children illustrate. Drawing and colouring activities.
.· Experiencing worship together at Christmas time “ Advent,Come Celebrate, Children’s Christmas Eve service.
© Don Stott, Eliab.com, 2006
See Ted's Surprise Christmas. An original story to share with pre-schoolers.
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