• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Intentional Hospitality
  • Recipes Index
  • Occasions
  • Resources
  • Printables
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes Index
  • Occasions
  • Resources
  • Printables
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes Index
    • Occasions
    • Resources
    • Printables
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Holidays » Christmas » Christ Centered Christmas Traditions

    Christ Centered Christmas Traditions

    Nov 5, 2020 · Last updated: Dec 17, 2021 by Gina Dickson · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

    I appreciate your shares! xox

    • Yum It
    • Flipboard
    • Share
    • Email
    Christmas can be so commercialized and busy so this year, fil Christ Centered Christmas Traditions christmas ball

    Christmas can be so commercialized and busy so this year, fill your holiday with joy and meaning by using these Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions.

     Christ Centered Christmas Traditions written on a christmas ball
    Jump to:
    • What is a Christ Centered Christmas?
    • When was Christmas started?
    • What are some Christian Christmas Tradition
    • Why keep Christ in Christmas?
    • Tips for celebrating Christ at Christmas?
    • Tips for balancing the Santa aspect
    • Christian Christmas traditions to start
    • What is the true meaning of Christmas?

    What is a Christ Centered Christmas?

    God himself instructed His people in times of celebration to keep special traditions to help them to teach their children to remember how He had intervened on their behalf.  Today most Christians celebrate God's intervention in their lives through the season of Christmas, which recalls the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord.  

    When was Christmas started?

    According to CrossWalk, the traditional date of December 25 goes back as far as A.D. 273. Two pagan festivals honoring the sun were also celebrated on that day, and it is possible that December 25 was chosen to counteract the influence of paganism. To this day, some people feel uncomfortable with Christmas because they think it is somehow tainted by the pagan festivals held on that day. But Christians have long believed that the gospel not only transcends culture it also transforms it. In A.D. 320, one theologian answered this criticism by noting, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”

    What are some Christian Christmas Tradition

    Many American traditions, such as Christmas trees, gifts, holly, lights, colors, and bells. While none of these are a mandate from God, they will help us teach others and share who Christ is if we keep the right focus and perspective on the traditions we observe. 

    • Evergreen trees were the symbol of eternal life. Martin Luther introduced them to the Reformation Church as a picture of our endless life in Christ by bringing in a tree to his family on Christmas Eve lit with candles (Isaiah 60:13)
    • Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi later brought to baby Jesus. Each of them speaks to a component of His incarnation: Majesty in life, Bitterest Agony in Death, and He as God's Perfect gift to us. (Matthew 2)
    • Holly speaks of the thorns and drops of blood in His crown to come as His work here on earth is complete.  (Matthew 27:29)
    • Lights are a picture that Christ is the Light of the world (John 8)
    • Red is a color of Christmas that speaks of Christ's blood and death and green the eternal life He has for us. 
    • Bells are associated with the ringing out the news. Christ is the good news, the best news of all!

    Why keep Christ in Christmas?

    God had always instructed His people in times of celebration to do the things that helped them to remember what he had done for them and to rejoice in that remembrance. 

    When Christmas has this focus, it becomes a wonderful time of renewal. But sadly, many times, this focus is lost to the commercialism of Christmas.  Traditions for remembrance become stressful and meaningless or even destructive.  

    When the true meaning of Christmas is kept central to the holiday then believers are living as God intended them to, those special times of celebration are very pleasing in His sight.

    Tips for celebrating Christ at Christmas?

    Remember the reason for the season

    First and foremost remember Christmas is about the coming of the gospel.

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

    — John 3:16

    Celabrate Advent

    Choose an advent devotional to read through. This will help your daily focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season, Christ.

    • Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional
    • The Littlest Watchman (Kids storybook)
    • The Weary World Rejoices 

    Inclue other in your celabrations

    Christmas can be a very lonely time for some; what better way to share Christ's love during the holiday season than by including others in our celebrations.

    Give gifts to others besides your family

    Christmas is the perfect opportunity to bake cookies or give neighbors a small meaningful gift. Spend time talking with them, finding out their needs, hopes, and dreams. Use Christmas to build relationships. This will open the door for you to share the true meaning of Christmas.

    The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

    — Galatians 5:14

    Keep Christ in mind when you decorate

    Use manger scenes, angels, and other tangible reminders of the holiday's true reason when decorating your Christmas tree and home.

    Send Christmas cards that share the Gospel

    When you mail out Christmas cards to friends and family, tuck in the There's No Christmas Without Christ track.

    Listen to Christian Christmas music

    Create a playlist and listen to it throughout the holiday season. Spend time reflecting on the words, reminding you the season's focus is Jesus' birth. Buy the book Songs for the Waiting: Devotions Inspired by the Hymns of Advent to help you learn about the song's meaning.

    How to still enjoy all the fun stuff

    First, slow down and let go of expectations. I want you to remember that you do not have to do it all, nor should others expect you to. Simplify and choose to do a few of the best things with your time, not what you think others expect of you.

    For ideas on how to do this read my post, Seven Keys to Simplify Your Christmas.

    Tips for balancing the Santa aspect

    Saint Nicholas was the supposed early Bishop of a church in Asia Minor, now modern Turkey. He became aware of some desperate needs in his congregation of a family having to sell their children into slavery, so he came and left money on their doorstep one night. It was gold in a stocking. So began the tradition of Saint Nick coming for a visit by night, filling stockings with goodies.

    The key is how Santa is presented. You can teach the historical context that he was a Bishop with a giving heart when others had needs. This lends an opportunity to teach children to look for ways to love and serve others. When Santa is a small part of the celebration, not its pinnacle, children are less likely to fixate on gifts and the season's secular aspects.

    Christian Christmas traditions to start

    Have a birthday party for Jesus

    This is a great way to get kids involved in learning about Christmas's true meaning when focusing on Christ's birth. Put up birthday decorations, have a special meal, and bake a birthday cake. Take this opportunity to invite others to share with them why Christ had to be born. All Things With Purpose has some cute party ideas.

    Read together The Giving Manger each year

    Experience the true meaning of Christmas this year with The Giving Manger--a faith-based, interactive family tradition that encourages acts of kindness, focuses on giving rather than getting and honors the real reason for Christmas--Jesus' birth.

    Have a journey to Bethleheme meal

    Serve a Bethlehem meal featuring foods that Mary and Joseph might have shared on the road to Bethlehem. Enjoying the meal seated on the floor picnic-style. Focus On The Family shares with us some great ideas on how to set up the metal. There are menu ideas such as chickpeas, figs, dates, grapes, pomegranates, honey, and nuts. They also have a list of questions for reflection that will make your meal more meaningful.

    What is the true meaning of Christmas?

    I appreciate your shares! xox

    • Yum It
    • Flipboard
    • Share
    • Email

    About Gina Dickson

    Hey y'all, I am here to help you build community and nurture faith around your table. You will find fun party ideas and delicious recipes for easy-to-make meals and party food. I want to help you create a table where people come together, enjoy a meal and linger with good conversation.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome, y'all

    ❤️ Welcome! My goal is to create a resource for easy delicious recipes and encouragement to help you use your dining table as a gathering place to relax, share Christ's love, and encourage others while enjoying a meal together. Read More…

    intentional hospitality sign up form for more recipes and hosting tips with sign up button on bottom of image

    Popular Recipes

    • boiling crab sauce on shrimp and sausage
      Boiling Crab Sauce Recipe; The Whole Sha-Bang Copycat
    • panera 10 vegetable soup recipe in a bowl with limes and hot sauce near it
      Copycat Panera 10 Vegetable Soup Recipe
    • zippy's chili in a bowl with a scoop of rice on top
      Rich Hawaiian Zippy's Chili Recipe; Slow Cooker
    • Super Tender Pork Ribs; Dry Rub Recipe In The Oven
      Super Tender Pork Ribs; Dry Rub Recipe In The Oven

    Favorite Soup Recipes

    • navy beans in a bowl with onions chopped on top
      How To Cook Navy Beans In The Crockpot
    • creamy instant pot clam chowder in a bowl with crackers on top
      Creamy Instant Pot Clam Chowder Recipe

    Masters Recipes

    • egg salad sandwich, pimento cheese sandwich and a masters concessions menu board
      Masters Menu Influenced Recipes 2023
    • Famous Augusta National Pound cake sitting next to a Master tournament cup with milk in it.
      Augusta National Sour Cream Pound Cake

    Helping Others

    • Collage of different instances where a meal train is needed with text on top.
      How To Start A Meal Train
    • how to help a cancer patient with couple hugging
      12 Ways How You Can Help A Cancer Patient
    party in freezer cookbook cover with people toasting

    Party ideas 🎉

    • Best Dress Up Party Themes For Adults
      Best Dress Up Party Themes For Adults 2022
    • 20 best party themes for adults pictures of different parties
      20 Best Party Themes For Adults
    • Greek dinner party food ideas
      Greek Dinner Party
    • italian pasta dishes, italian themed tables
      Italian Dinner Party Recipes

    Canning Recipes

    • canned chili in a jar
      Canned Chili Recipe
    • canned vegetable soup in a jar and a bowl
      Canned Vegetable Soup

    Dinner Party Ideas

    • 60 Fun Dinner Party Themes and Ideas
    • Greek dinner party food ideas
      Greek Dinner Party
    Featured in for intentional hospitality

    Party Tips

    • how to make tea for a crowd with glasses of tea on table.
      Party Tips: How Long Does Brewed Tea Last At Room Temperature?
    • taco meat in a white bowl, raw package of organic hamburger, meat cooking in a pan
      How Much Taco Meat Per Person (Recipe For A Party)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Explore

    • All Recipes Index
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up to join the member's community emails.

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Intentional Hospitality

    301 shares