🎄 Christmas
December 25 Ages 4–11
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. For Christians it is one of the most important days of the year, and many people of all backgrounds enjoy its lights, music and spirit of giving.
📅 Dates
| 2026 | Christmas Eve: Thu, Dec 24, 2026 · Christmas Day: Fri, Dec 25, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Christmas Eve: Fri, Dec 24, 2027 · Christmas Day: Sat, Dec 25, 2027 |
| 2028 | Christmas Eve: Sun, Dec 24, 2028 · Christmas Day: Mon, Dec 25, 2028 |
Dates for Western churches. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.
📖 What is Christmas?
The Gospels of Luke and Matthew tell that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. There was no room at the inn, so baby Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, a feeding box for animals.
Angels told shepherds in the fields the good news, and a bright star guided wise men from the East, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Christians go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Families decorate Christmas trees, sing carols, set up nativity scenes and give gifts. In the United States, Santa Claus — inspired by St. Nicholas — is a favorite part of the celebration for many children.
✨ Traditions
- Church services and carols
- Nativity scenes
- Decorating a Christmas tree
- Giving gifts and helping people in need
- Hanging stockings
- Special family meals
🔤 Words to know
- nativity
- The birth of Jesus
- manger
- A feeding box for animals
- carol
- A Christmas song
- Bethlehem
- The town where Jesus was born
✂️ Crafts & activities
Paper-Plate Star of Bethlehem
You need: Paper plate, Yellow paint or crayons, Glitter (optional), String
- Draw a big star on the plate and cut it out.
- Color it bright yellow and add glitter.
- Punch a hole, add string and hang it in a window.
Kindness Ornaments
You need: Cardstock circles, Markers, Ribbon
- On each circle, write something you are thankful for or a kind thing you did.
- Decorate the other side.
- Hang them on the tree and read them on Christmas.
🖍️ Coloring pages
Christmas quiz
What does Christmas celebrate?
In which town was Jesus born?
Where was baby Jesus laid?
What guided the wise men?
Which gifts did the wise men bring?
💭 Let’s talk
What is a gift you can give that doesn’t cost money?
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