How do you feel about the approach of the Christmas season? Does it fill you with joy, anticipation and excitement? Or do you groan when you see the mince pies arriving in the shops earlier and earlier every year?

It can be a difficult time if we’re worried about money, missing a loved one, or if our children perhaps just find the excitement and change of routine too much to cope with. And even if we love the season, it certainly brings its own challenges and expectations.

Trying to find ways to focus on God can just feel like another pressure, among all the shopping, cooking and gift-wrapping we have to do. So how can we refresh our spirits and nurture our children’s faith, at this time when we celebrate Jesus coming to live among us?

Perhaps that phrase itself can give us a clue. It’s not about being the perfect parent or family, or having to be ‘super-spiritual’. It’s about recognising where Jesus is amongst us, in the activities we’re already doing.

Here are some ideas for how we can nurture faith at Christmas. How could you use or adapt one or two of these to work in your family?

• Will you be spending time with any extended family or friends over Christmas, who share your faith? Use some ideas from the Scrumptious Feast placemats – why not take time over a meal to ask grandparents or friends to share what their favourite Bible verse is and why, or something amazing that God has done for them?
• If you’re the kind of family that likes playing games, search online for ‘Bible stories for charades’ and you’ll find lots of ideas you can try!
• Do you have your own family traditions at Christmas – whether it’s always putting up the tree on a certain day, or settling down with new pyjamas on Christmas Eve? Even if your kids sometimes groan at them, be encouraged that these moments really help to build a sense of family belonging and warmth, which lays a great foundation for passing on faith. Some traditions might only be for a season, so don’t be afraid to adapt and flex as the years go by.
• If you have a nativity scene that you put out at Christmas, try retelling the story of Jesus’ birth as you do it. Or find a short video version to watch online together afterwards.
• Going to a carol service or a Christingle? Take a moment during the service to chat with your children about the words of the songs and what they mean to you.
• Some families love to walk or drive around to look at all the Christmas lights on people’s houses. As you go, chat about how Jesus said he is the light of the world: how does it feel to stumble around in the dark? What difference does it make when you have a light to show you the way? Wonder together about what Jesus might have meant when he said this.
• If you have a school play or a nativity performance at church, take a minute to pray together for any nerves or worries, and ask God to help.
• If you’re clearing out old toys in preparation for Christmas and can afford to donate them to a charity shop, involve the kids in choosing which charity to support, and help your children to see how God encourages us to share what we have with others in need.

Hopefully some of these ideas will give you and your family opportunities to build faith-filled memories that will last a lifetime.

We pray that you have a blessed Christmas!