Christmas Creche 2009
Originally uploaded by amanda_fernandes

The season of Christmas seems to mean different things for different people. As I drive through my neighborhood, I see that even my non Christian neighbors have lights out with a santa and tree. Their children “believe” in Santa and get gifts from him. Schools seem to equate Christmas with snow and gift giving.

Celebrating Christmas as Christ’s birth can be very difficult especially when all the children want to talk about is their Christmas lists. Telling my children that Christmas doesn’t celebrate Santa or him bringing us presents. Giving and receiving gifts is fun. So are the holiday parties and spending time with our families.

There are certain things we still do to reinforce the real reason for Christmas

1. Reading the story of Jesus’ birth. The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20
2. An Advent Calender or a Jesse Tree. I made the ornaments myself and we read the related bible passage every evening before we hang up the ornament
3. Read Christmas stories with the children like “God Gave Us Christmas”, “This is the Stable”. Here’s a beautiful little story I found on the Internet about the Real Meaning of Christmas