The Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration, and family. But for many parents, it can also feel like a whirlwind of activities, obligations, and distractions. Between the shopping, the school performances, the holiday parties, and the long list of to-dos, it can be easy to lose sight of the true heart of Christmas.

For Christian families, the challenge becomes even greater: how do we keep Jesus at the center of this busy season, especially when so many other things are competing for our attention?

Being intentional about your faith during the Christmas season is more than just a nice idea. It has a profound impact on your child’s spiritual formation.

As parents, we have a unique opportunity to model and teach the deeper truths of Christmas — truths that go beyond presents and decorations — and to invite our children to encounter the life-changing message of Christ’s birth.

So, how do we help our kids be intentional with their faith this holiday season?

The Power of Intentional Faith

Intentionality in the context of Christmas faith means making deliberate, thoughtful choices about how you celebrate. It’s about creating an environment where the story of Jesus’ birth is not only remembered, but actively lived out.

When parents are intentional about their faith during this season, they’re not just teaching their children facts about the nativity or following holiday traditions. They’re shaping the very way their kids understand the significance of Christ’s birth and how that impacts their everyday lives.

Intentional faith is about being proactive rather than passive. It requires reflection, planning, and a willingness to create space in a busy season for God’s presence.

Here are some ways that intentional faith can impact your child’s spiritual formation and help guide them toward a deeper understanding of the season.

1. Modeling What Matters Most

Children are incredibly observant. They may not always express it, but they are always watching. They notice what their parents prioritize, how they respond to stress, and where they spend their time and energy.

During the Christmas season, this is especially true. When parents take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, it sets a powerful example for their children.

If faith is simply something that gets a passing mention in the busyness of the season, children may come to see it as something secondary or optional. But when faith is woven throughout the entire season — through prayer, reading the Christmas story, attending church, or even singing carols that center on Jesus Christ — it communicates that God is not just a part of the holidays.

He is the reason we celebrate!

2. Creating Spiritual Traditions That Focus on Christ

One of the most impactful ways to be intentional with faith at Christmas is to create traditions that bring the focus back to the birth of Jesus. For many families, traditions like Advent calendars, lighting candles on an Advent wreath, reading Scripture as a family on Christmas morning, or acting out the nativity story provide a tangible way to celebrate Jesus.

These traditions help children internalize the story of Christ’s birth in a way that is fun, meaningful, and memorable. Rather than simply hearing about Jesus’ birth as an abstract story, children get to experience it in real, sensory ways that connect them to the deeper truths of the season.

Traditions like these are also a way to foster conversation about faith. They provide opportunities for families to discuss what Jesus’ birth means, what it reveals about God’s love for us, and how his arrival changed the world forever.

Need some help with ideas? Check out our new Advent Guide that’s packed with family activity ideas and a 4-week devotional!

3. Teaching Gratitude + Generosity

The Christmas season is often associated with gift-giving, but this can sometimes overshadow the deeper meaning of giving in the Christian faith. Teaching children to be generous and to think of others during the season helps them connect the idea of giving to the heart of the gospel.

The act of giving gifts can be a reflection of God’s ultimate gift to us (Jesus), and when parents intentionally model generosity, they show their children that Christmas is about more than just receiving. Whether through donating toys to those in need, volunteering as a family, or participating in outreach projects, these acts of kindness and generosity teach children that Christmas is an opportunity to serve others and share the love of Christ.

4. Pointing to the Hope of Christ

In the midst of the fun and excitement of Christmas, it’s important to also acknowledge that the holiday carries a deep spiritual message: the arrival of Jesus is the arrival of hope.

For many families, the Christmas season is not always one of joy. For some, it’s a time of grief, loneliness, or loss. Being intentional about faith at Christmas allows parents to help their children see that Christmas points to the hope of Christ — a hope that transcends circumstances.

When children are taught to look at Christmas through the lens of hope, they are reminded that the light of Christ shines brightly, even in the darkest of times. This perspective can offer great comfort and resilience as they grow in their understanding of God’s presence and faithfulness in their own lives.

5. Fostering a Spirit of Worship

Christmas offers a unique opportunity to teach children the power of worship. Carols, nativity scenes, church services, and personal reflection are all ways we can encourage our children to approach this season with reverence and awe. Worship is not just about singing songs, but about cultivating a heart of gratitude and praise for the Savior who came into the world to bring salvation.

By making worship a central part of the Christmas season, parents help their children develop a deeper appreciation for God’s holiness and love.

Whether it’s through attending a Christmas Eve service, singing carols together, or setting aside time to pray as a family and thank God for his faithfulness, these acts of worship help children grow spiritually and create a lasting foundation for their faith.

In the busyness of the Christmas season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. But for Christian parents, the call to be intentional with their faith is one that holds great significance. Not only for our own spiritual lives, but for the spiritual formation of our children.

By making Christ the center of our celebrations, we can model the deeper truths of the season, foster a spirit of worship, and lay the foundation for our children’s lifelong relationship with God.

This Christmas, let’s commit to being intentional with our faith. The impact it can have on our children’s spiritual formation may be far greater than we realize.

Looking for more ways to be intentional this Christmas?

Be sure to download your copy of our new Advent Guide! It has daily scriptures, a 4-week family devotional, and tons of fun activities for you and your children to engage with this Christmas season.

✏️  AUTHOR CREDITS

This blog was written by the Mission Hills Church Kids Ministry.