Each Christmas, families engage in the holidays, instilling their own family traditions. Traditions can make the holidays enriching and rewarding for all involved. But as family dynamics change, traditions can become stale or disappear altogether. Preserve the traditions you have while still starting new ones this year. Here are five traditions to incorporate into your Christmas holiday:
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Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus
Although Jesus was not officially born on December 25th, most families still celebrate Christmas. But do you also recognize it as Jesus’ birthday? Before diving into gifts, be sure to acknowledge the holiday not only as a day to get gifts, but also as Jesus’ birthday. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before beginning your holiday morning. Go one step further and place a candle in a cupcake or cake, making it a “Jesus birthday cake.” Celebrate by having a piece of cake in His name in the morning, or with your holiday dinner.
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Read the Birth of Jesus from the Bible
Take turns reading the Word of God, starting with Luke 2, and take turns passing the Bible or reading from the same passage. Each year, choose a different account. Did you find it had a different meaning in a different Gospel? What did God say to you as you read it? Were there certain words that jumped out at you as you read it?
Each child old enough to read can also be tasked with reading the account if you choose. Talk about why this account is so important. If you have time, read the different accounts. Compare and contrast. How was each account the same? How was each one with the other?
Ask the kids what they like about the passage or explain parts they didn’t understand. It is essential not just to read it, but also to understand it. Brainstorm ways as a family to incorporate the concepts of the birth story into your daily lives. For example, it is sad to hear that Mary was rejected from getting a room at the inn so she could have Jesus in a quiet, private room. Instead, Mary persevered and had him in a barn surrounded by foul-smelling animals with even fouler-smelling fecal matter, which were far from the optimal conditions fit for a king.
How can your family live simply so they can observe the simplicity of a plain barn and a baby born in a feeding trough, as emulated by Jesus in the story? Maybe we'll never be called to give birth in a barn, but we can all live more simply to understand Christ’s example better.
Furthermore, how can your family observe perseverance in their lives? Can they muddle through that different class at school? Can they befriend the class bully? Can they save their allowance to help their family during a challenging circumstance?
The Bible not only tells stories, but those stories have a more profound meaning that, when examined, can transform our lives. Take the time not just to read it but to draw out concepts that your family can apply during the holiday season to understand the Gospels better.
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Observe Hanukkah
Although Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday, it has great traditions for those who observe it. Not only can you participate in eight days of gifts, but other traditions give meaning to the Jewish faith. Your family doesn’t have to convert to Judaism to appreciate the time-honored traditions Jewish people observe—and maintain—during the holidays. By observing or understanding the tradition, you can enjoy Jesus’s lineage. You may feel inspired to incorporate some of those rich traditions into your holiday as well.
As a family, do some research into Jewish traditions. Consider observing Hanukkah alongside your current traditions. Our traditions and those of other religious sects can only deepen your appreciation for your own traditions, while also respecting the different faiths and their traditions. By being knowledgeable in traditions, you can bridge the gap between people and their apathy—or even aversion—to any faith.
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Attend a Different Denomination’s Service
While you may attend your yearly Christmas Eve service, consider taking a step of faith and trying something new. Take time to observe how other denominations celebrate Christmas Eve. Do some hold a candlelight vigil while singing 'Silent Night'? What Scriptures do other churches use? Do other churches incorporate children into the service, and if so, what do they do? If you are hesitant to attend your regular service, you may be able to participate in both your regular service and a new one, depending on the timeframe.
After attending the new service, what new traditions would you like your church to observe next year? Take notes or revisit your conversation with your pastor about what you observed. Ask if he would consider utilizing these new traditions in next year’s service.
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Reduce the Gifts; Add More Meaning
Although this new tradition may not be popular with your family, it may help you reduce stress and keep more money in your wallet this Christmas. Just because you had a lot of gifts this year doesn’t mean you have to keep it that way. Your kids will acclimate to whatever you decide. You can also let them know in advance that you will not be buying as many gifts this year.
Instead, observe the tradition of the wise men, who, upon seeing Jesus, gave him three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although there may not have been many gifts, the ones the Magi brought held deep meaning, as they gave all they had to welcome the Savior's birth.
You can tell your kids you are doing only three gifts—they could be more expensive than having a lot of small gifts, or you could get them one or two sought-after gifts and be the hero this Christmas. Although Christmas should not be about gifts, it can be easy for your kids to get caught up in the excitement of receiving them. Teach them it is better to give than to receive by providing a few gifts with significant meaning rather than receiving. Remove the idea that receiving many gifts creates an experience of unwrapping numerous gifts, only to have them tossed in the closet within a month.
Another way to do this is to get one big gift that your whole family can enjoy. For example, give the gift of a trip or a family vacation. You can spread out the announcements by letting kids open small clues to the larger gift.
For example, if it is a trip to Disney World, have the kids unwrap a picture of cheese, then a clue about a cat, then Mickey ears to make the announcement. However you choose to do it, lengthen the experience by giving them clues to help them guess the gift. Your family will laugh along as they get the clues that, at the time, won’t make sense, but when put together, can make this Christmas extra special.
Although it can be scary to add new traditions at the expense of others this year, tradition can enhance our lives if we let it. Add a few new traditions this year, and in a few years, you may find these suggestions are like they've always been a part of your family’s holiday routine.
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Originally published Tuesday, 09 December 2025.
