Our large family has many precious memories of celebrating Advent together. We wanted to keep the focus on the season of waiting – rather than the season of “I want this or I want that.” The marketing for toys, dolls, games, etc. was just as intense in those pre-technology years as it is now; so we had several ways to get the family to focus on waiting for the arrival of Jesus.

The Crib for Baby Jesus

We had a large shoebox, decorated with straw, that was “the crib for Baby Jesus,” and each night after dinner the children would tell us what they did to “sacrifice or make life better for others” – and as they shared each act of kindness, they placed a strand of straw in the “shoebox manger.” We used a large shoebox for our family of nine; but smaller families can have individual “mangers” to fill during Advent. The idea was to help each family member realize how unselfish we could be as we went through Advent. On Christmas morning, we would place a Jesus figure (a doll or handmade figure) into the straw manger and place it under the Christmas tree.

Acting Out the Christmas Story

For many years we acted out the Christmas story, with members taking roles of Mary, Joseph, the Innkeeper, Shepherds, and Kings. The youngest child would get to hold the Baby Jesus figure from our indoor manger display and walk up to 2-3 closed doors in the house, trying to get a room for Jesus, finally laying Him in the manger (with help). We had enough people for all the players, but smaller families can double up on the roles. After we acted out the walk to the manger scene, the Shepherds and Kings arrived and we all sang “Silent Night.” Then we proceeded to the dining room and had a piece of birthday cake for Jesus! Many of our family events included food!

Christmas Card Prayers

We saved our Christmas cards in a decorated basket throughout Advent and after Christmas, the basket came to the dining room table. Each night after we said “Grace Before Meals” we took one card and prayed for the person/family who sent us the card. This way we kept the Christmas spirit until the Feast of Epiphany.

Keep Christ in Christmas

There are many ways to keep Christ in Christmas such as: lighting the Advent Wreath candles each week of Advent or keeping an Advent Calendar (especially one that includes scripture passages of the Nativity). You can play Christmas music in the house through the season or look for the many podcasts and videos available for young children to maintain the sense of anticipation and waiting for Christmas.