What do your kids know about the deeper meaning of Christmas?
I'm especially curious about those of you that are not very religious.
EJ and I are non-practicing Catholics. I've been toying with the idea of going to church again. I want to introduce religion to Ethan but as of yet, he knows nothing about it. So to suddenly be like, it's baby Jesus' birthday would be out of nowhere.
Where do I start? Any suggestions on good introductory reading material, like a children's bible?
Well, I am not sure what you consider religious? I was raised Catholic and kind of floated from HS till now. I am now going to a Episcopal church and love it.
I honestly do not feel you need to get to deep. Have you thought of maybe joining a church and first introducing him to it. I started Allison in Sunday school classes when we joined. It has really helped. Being that they are so young they are really fresh slates. I do not think at this age they can grasp a whole lot more then it is Jesus birthday and that. I could be wrong. I work more right now on instilling good morals, helping people, being a good person, etc.
You could get a kid story on Jesus or something and start reading it to him. Questions may grow from that.
well I would probably start with hey ethan do you know why people celebrate christmas. Its Jesus' birthday. If he asks who jesus is go from there. If not at least its in his head.
well I would probably start with hey ethan do you know why people celebrate christmas. Its Jesus' birthday. If he asks who jesus is go from there. If not at least its in his head.
Thats a good idea then you could read him a basic story... we have a little Golden Book something like "the first christmas" or something like that we read during the Christmas season... I always see them at Walmart in the kids book section by the toys for $2.50. Or you could read one from a kids bible.
I don't think you have to worry about it being all of the sudden. I agree with Tracy and go from there. I have found some very basic books about it at TJ Maxx and usually there are some at book stores too. Just look at them and see what ones appeal to you and are in line with what you believe.
I also think that you can do some activites/crafts with him and explain what the mean or represent. If you treat in a casual manner it will not seem so awkward.
I also like advent calendars and this one I saw was interesting: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2010-Story-of-Christmas-Advent-Calendar/Mary-Packard/e/9780761152507/
I will also get back with you on a cookbook I have that you can cook/bake things that help illustrate the stories.
ETA: I hunted it up. It's called The Good Book Cookbook by Becky White. It gives you a very simple Bible verse, a prayer, and various ways to expand it if you want. For example you can make dried apple stars that relates to the three wise men.
I don't think you have to worry about it being all of the sudden. I agree with Tracy and go from there. I have found some very basic books about it at TJ Maxx and usually there are some at book stores too. Just look at them and see what ones appeal to you and are in line with what you believe.
I also think that you can do some activites/crafts with him and explain what the mean or represent. If you treat in a casual manner it will not seem so awkward.
I also like advent calendars and this one I saw was interesting: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2010-Story-of-Christmas-Advent-Calendar/Mary-Packard/e/9780761152507/
I will also get back with you on a cookbook I have that you can cook/bake things that help illustrate the stories.
ETA: I hunted it up. It's called The Good Book Cookbook by Becky White. It gives you a very simple Bible verse, a prayer, and various ways to expand it if you want. For example you can make dried apple stars that relates to the three wise men.
-- Edited by happylib on Tuesday 27th of October 2009 10:08:38 PM
-- Edited by happylib on Tuesday 27th of October 2009 10:11:32 PM
that cookbook looks interesting.
Thanks everyone. We actually do a lot of Christmas-y stuff, like the advent calendar. We've just always kept it more secular. So I guess I'll introduce the concept, get a book, and start talking about it.
I should look into when CCD classes start for kids here. Maybe that will motivate me to go to church. I say I'm going to go every week. I usually think of it when EJ is out and I don't know if Ethan will sit for a mass at this point if I take him with me.
Alyssa, you have gotten some good ideas already. Since our girls go to a church based preschool, they already know about it being Jesus' birthday just from school. We had talked about it, but it seemed to sink in once they got it from school.
Anyway, they gave all of the kids a scholastic book last year-a picture book version of Silent Night. It was just the song with the illustrations to go along, but my girls LOVED it. They loved seeing the pictures of baby Jesus and singing the song.
They also play a lot with the Little People Nativity set during the holidays.
Also, we are starting to talk to about Santa more in a Christian way as well. Santa is our modern version of St. Nicholas, as we all know. So we talk about how out of love for God and to spread the love of Jesus, St. Nick went from house to house to offer things to those who needed them (they like this concept because we give a lot of donations of used items to the preschool-every month is a different item, like books one month, toys, outerwear, etc. One month is canned goods, you get the idea. They really enjoy that program and are very willing to give away things they don't use anymore). And we talk about how Santa Claus today continues to spread his love of Jesus by bringing presents to all children in celebration of His birthday. I'm sure some think that is a stretch, but it helps us tie everything together, kwim?
What do your kids know about the deeper meaning of Christmas?
I'm especially curious about those of you that are not very religious.
EJ and I are non-practicing Catholics. I've been toying with the idea of going to church again. I want to introduce religion to Ethan but as of yet, he knows nothing about it. So to suddenly be like, it's baby Jesus' birthday would be out of nowhere.
Where do I start? Any suggestions on good introductory reading material, like a children's bible?
Thanks!
first off, this makes my heart smile
i think if you go ahead and get back into church now, just easing back into it so that Ethan is introduced to Jesus there, when Christmas finally gets here, it will just be a natural thing to him, he'll already know who he is.
