Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Feliz Natal! Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noel! ‘Tis the season to be jolly! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? 

YES, it absolutely is the most glorious, wonderful time of the year! It’s the celebration of the birth of our Savior! In Matthew 2:9–10 (NKJV), Matthew tells us that when the wise men saw the star, “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” When was the last time your kids saw you rejoice with exceedingly great joy? 

As parents, there’s so much pressure this time of year to do it all—bake cookies, trim the tree, send a perfect family card, fill stockings, buy everything on the lists, attend every party, mail packages to family afar, exchange office gifts with coworkers, and on and on it goes. But maybe this year, Christmas can look a little different. 

Let’s slow down! Slowing down allows us to be intentional with our time at home so we can teach our children what Christmas is really all about. I promise you, years from now your children will not remember what they opened on Christmas morning in 2022, but they will remember the vibe in your home. They’ll remember the evenings you said no to an invitation, just so you could stay home together as a family and watch Christmas movies in matching Christmas pajamas! (Why do we wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas morning to pull out the matching pajamas? Enjoy them all month long!) So, say no, and instead focus on having the most fabulous Florida Christmas ever by making new memories and traditions that will last a lifetime. 

We all know the Christmas season is a busy one, which can cause financial strain and stress. However, we need to remember there’s nothing more important this December than creating an atmosphere in our homes where our children will know all the hype is for Jesus and the fact that He came into this world to be our Savior, Christ the Lord! He is our hope, and His birth changed everything just like a relationship with Jesus today changes everything!

Here are some ideas to help you celebrate Christmas with your family: 

Set the tone and bring joy into your home all month by turning up the Christmas music! Reach a new level of celebrating the real meaning of Christmas this year

Have you ever made a Florida snow angel? This is your year! Gather up the kids, head to the beach, and make snow angels in the sand! Point out to your children how the thoughts God has for each one of them outnumbers the grains of sand (Psalm 139:17–18 NKJV)! Then, while the rest of the world is out in the hustle and bustle, hop in that warm Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a family swim!

Do you find yourself dreaming of a white Christmas and desiring to build a snowman with your kids? Grab a carrot, some buttons, and a hat and head to the beach to build a sand snowman! Or check out our Pinterest page for other ways you can build your snowman out of sand. 

So, on Christmas morning—before opening presents or eating breakfast—read the Christmas story with exceedingly great joy! The kids may not remember what they opened Christmas morning, but they will carry the story and message of Christmas morning with them in their hearts forever.

Capture the moment! Take a photo of your intentional moments to remember. If you post them, be sure to tag us @CalvaryKidsFTL so we can celebrate with you! 

It truly is the most wonderful, special, fabulous time of year. Jesus really is the reason for the season!