10 Ways to Put Christ Back Into Your Family’s Christmas
by Jacquie Jambor

Well, here we go again. Christmas has been in the stores since Halloween (Remember the good old days, when Christmas began after Thanksgiving?) and the children are on full alert for the latest craze in toys and gifts. Still, we don’t have to let this part of Christmas be our only experience of the season. Here are 10 suggestions for ways your family can take back your Advent/Christmas preparation and celebration.

1. Celebrate Advent by attending Mass together each of the four Sundays (or Saturday evenings) of the season. Put this into your busy schedule and make it a priority. Listen carefully to the Advent readings – they speak about the priorities of life, and they offer a calming perspective.

2. Spend the Advent season making homemade gifts for one another. Our family did this one year – a suggestion made by our then new daughter-in law – but we were all so traumatized by the task that we have never done it again! However, I have no doubt that your family – or any family for that matter – is handier than ours!

3. As a family, make Christmas cookies or goodies of some sort for someone who would not expect such a gift.

4. Use an Advent wreath for family mealtime prayer during the four weeks of Advent. Young children in particular enjoy watching the increasing number of candles that are lighted as the weeks pass.

5. If your family has young children, make or purchase an Advent calendar which allows everyone to keep track as each day of the Advent season passes. Children especially enjoy an Advent calendar that has a treat for each day.

6. Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. At bedtime on the evening of December 5, allow children to put their shoes out for St. Nicholas to fill with treats during the night.

7. Celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 by reading the gospel from that day’s liturgy, Luke 1:26-38. Then pray the Hail Mary all together.

8. The Third Sunday of Advent is referred to as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a word that translates to “rejoice!” Rejoice on this Sunday by planning a special meal and reading together the scriptures for the day: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; and Luke 3:10-18. (For some family discussion questions on these readings, go to the Catechist & Teachers page and click on “Lectionary.” Or, go to the “Sunday Gospel Reflections” here in Faith First for Families.)

9. On Christmas Eve, read the story of the Nativity. If you have young children use a children’s Bible. If your family is really creative, you can act out the Christmas story!

10. Celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January 4. Read the gospel story of the magi bringing gifts to the newborn child, Matthew 2:1-12. Then, give each other a small gift.

Certainly the Advent and Christmas seasons hold great potential for wonderful family activities and memories – most of which cannot be purchased. The joy of Christmas is in the love. God has so loved us that he sent his Son. And in our families, we are blessed by the coming of Jesus, and our abiding love for one another.

About the author: Jacquie Jambor had an extensive background in catechetical ministry as a teacher, catechist, adult educator and Director of Religious Education. After more than twenty-five years in parish ministry, she joined the team at RCL-Enterprises. For eight years, Jacquie served as Catechetical Advisor and National Consultant. Jacquie was a religion series author and published articles in the areas of religious education, family systems, and sacraments. As a national speaker and catechetical leader, Jacquie presented workshops, retreats, and key-note presentations for diocesan conferences and leadership programs across the country.