For an early elementary aged child, you might explore God as Emmanuel, the rescuer. Engage their heads by reading the nativity story and talking with them about the meaning of Christmas.
Engage their hearts by acting out a rescue story with the kids. Have one or more people in need of help, and one person who gets to be “the rescuer.” Talk about how it felt when “the rescuer” arrived. Relief? Happiness? Excitement? All of these? Then discuss why the rescuer might have come. Link this to why Jesus came, and talk about how we can feel safe and loved, knowing that Jesus loves us and came to save us.
Then go further. Engage their hands. Plan a birthday party for Jesus with your children!
Ask them questions about things they think are worth celebrating in their lives and share how Jesus’ coming is worth celebrating even more! Plan a little party to celebrate Jesus, then explain how all the Christmas activities celebrate the same thing. Come up with a fun phrase to say together. You could jump in the air and shout “Hooray! Jesus is here!”
During the rest of the Christmas season, remind them of this truth, repeat your family phrase and model the celebration that comes from knowing Jesus has come!
Most importantly, help them build anticipation.
Connect them with the experience of waiting for Emmanuel. You could make a countdown paper chain, make or purchase an advent calendar, or have weekly family time to connect them with the season.
However you plan to involve your kids, remember that celebrating and honoring Christ is an important part of knowing God—and God wants us to know him, at every age.
The Lord desires to be known by his people. That’s why he has chosen to reveal himself to us! Everything we know about him is something he has chosen to reveal. He wants every single one of us, at every age, to know him. That includes children!
Taking joy in Christ’s coming and his rescue of us is part of knowing God. Share that joy and help your kids come to a deeper knowledge of God every year. There is always more to learn, experience and celebrate.
As you lead your children in the joy and anticipation of Christ’s coming, ask the Lord to help you experience it in fresh ways this year. Let their joy and excitement stir your heart to remember that Christ came for you, too.
