Christmas time is a very special time. For most of us it is also a very busy time of the year! It is very easy to get bogged down in the hustle and bustle of the season and forget the actual reason for the holiday. Families are looking for opportunities to discus and tell the Christmas story during this time but often resort to hasty recounts as children focus on the gifts under the tree. We wanted to help parents during this time so we created this guide that will help them tell the story of Christ’s birth while they are decorating their Christmas tree!
This devotion focuses on allowing families to tell the story of Jesus’ birth as they progress through the necessary steps of decorating their Christmas tree at home. It can also be used as a group devotion provided there is a tree available to be decorated. The guide is available for free download at the bottom of the page and can be printed and handed out to families within your church.
Introduction
Setting up the Christmas tree is a great time for families to come together and enjoy each other while kicking off the season of celebration of the birth of our savior. This activity guide is designed to be used during this time to tell and discuss the events of Christ’s birth while putting up the tree. Each phase of getting this Christmas symbol ready coincides with a Biblical passage that can be read before or after each step. Remember to use this as a guide, make adjustments as you see fit with your own family dynamic and have fun with it!
Choosing and Prepping the Spot – Jesus’ Birth Foretold
Where to set up the Christmas tree is an important decision. For most of us, this spot must also be prepped before the tree can go up. In a similar way the birth of Christ was foretold long before He came to earth.
Read Isaiah 7:14 – This passage tells us that Jesus will be born to a virgin and He will be called Immanuel. Households with younger children may have a difficult time with the term and concept of a virgin. If your home is not ready to discuss this aspect yet, focus on the fact that it was predicted that He will be called Immanuel which means “God with us”. This will be discussed more in the next step.
Read Micah 5:2 – This passage tells us that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:1-5 show the fulfillment of this prophecy which will be discussed during the ornament step below.
*Note that there are other prophecies that Jesus fulfilled from the Old Testament, but these two specifically are about His birth.
Putting Up the Tree – God’s Plan Begins
Now that the spot has been chosen and prepped, it is time to either assemble (if you are using an artificial tree) or put up (if you are using a live tree) the tree in the prepped location. The tree is starting to physically go up and take its place in your home. Things are starting to happen.
Read Luke 1:26-38
Just like your family is starting to take actions and the tree is now a physical item in your home, God is starting to take actions and has started the process of sending His son to earth physically.
Prepping the Lights – Jesus is the Light of the World
The next step is prepping the lights that will go on the tree. For some, this step will involve actually stringing lights on the tree. For those with pre-lit trees, use this time to check the bulbs and wires etc of your tree. Do not turn them on yet as we will use the lighting of the tree in a subsequent step.
So who will this person be that God is sending to our world? He will be the one that saves us, the one that makes a way for us to become right with God. He will also show us how to live and set the example for us in ways we should treat others.
Read John 8:12
Just as these lights on our tree illuminate the dark spaces and help it be seen, Jesus is called the light of the world. He has defeated evil and gives an example for all to see.
Decorating the Tree with Ornaments – A Census
Putting ornaments on the tree is a big task and a favorite of many, especially kids. Some families use traditional ornaments such as red and green spheres, while others may use other items to decorate. It does not matter what type you use for this step. As you and your family are putting the ornaments on the tree, focus on the fact that the decorations are leaving the storage container and being spread and scattered all over the tree.
Read Luke 2:1-5
Just as the ornaments are now scattered on your tree, the Jewish people were scattered throughout the Roman world. This census that was issued required them all to return to their hometown so that they could be counted. It would be difficult to count all the ornaments on your tree while they are scattered about. It would be much easier to count them if they were all in one place, back in the box. The same is true for the people of this time. We also learn from this passage that Jesus was going to be born in Bethlehem which fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2 which we have read about.
Putting on the Topper – Jesus is Born
The tree topper is a very prominent decoration of your tree. It does not matter if you use a star, angel, or some other type of topper. Also some families have longstanding traditions on how and who places the topper on the tree, do not change them for this step. For most this is the final step in decorating the tree.
Read Luke 2:6-7*
This passage tells us that Jesus was born! This is the most prominent feature of the Christmas story! The savior of the world, God’s son, has been born here on earth.
*If your tree set-up has a tree skirt then an option could be to separate these two verses and allow the tree skirt to relate to the wrapping of Jesus in swaddling clothing.
Light the Tree – Angels Appear to Shepherds
Now that the work is done, it is time to plug in the tree and light it up! It is time to allow the setting up of the tree to become complete, and become easily visible in, and often outside your home.
Read Luke 2:8-9
The lights on the tree are shining brightly, and in this passage we are told that an angel appears to some shepherds at night and a great light shone all around them.
Stand Back and Admire – Shepherds Visit Jesus
Now that all your hard work in setting up your tree is done, gather the family and stand back to admire what you have done. Observe the beauty of the tree and all its decorations. Allow kids to tell you what they like the most about the tree and provide your own answers as well.
Read Luke 2:10-20
The shepherds saw the baby Jesus and admired Him. They also went and told everyone they could about this amazing gift that God had given to anyone who would believe in Him!
Take a few moments to pray for this Christmas season and thank God for His precious gift.
Download the free family guide here!
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close up tree photo by freestocks on Unsplash
