7 Christmas Gifts That Keep Your Focus on Jesus

Have you ever noticed how the holidays almost always come back to the idea of gifts? There are candlelight services, parties, family, carols, food, activities . . . and yet gifts are always on our minds as our to-do list grows longer and longer. The trouble is the longer the list gets, and the more gifts we feel we need to give, the more distracted we become from the entire purpose of Christmas—JESUS!

If you’re reading this post hoping I’ll solve that problem for you, I really can’t. There are so many wonderful things about celebrating Christmas, most of which I’d never suggest we give up. But what if there was a way to balance things? What if there was a way to focus our gifts on Him?

Every year I look for ways that I can give my kids gifts of faith. I want them to have gifts that GROW them spiritually and help them stay focused on the real gift of Christmas. And no, I don’t mean just physical things either. Let me tell you about some of my favorites.

7 Christmas Gifts That Keep Your Focus on Jesus

1. The Gift of Giving

Jesus came to earth to serve, and His ultimate act of service was giving up His life for us. From soup kitchens to packing shoeboxes for orphans, I’m sure you’ve noticed that serving others has become a part of many holiday celebrations. It probably seems a little unorthodox, but what if you gave your kids the gift of giving this year?

Yes, I know that means you’ll need to plan something and get involved, but it will be worth it. When we serve others, God gives us a feeling that money can’t buy! Not to mention, planting this focus in your kids’ hearts now will keep their minds off the material things—at least some anyway.

We can’t say to our kids, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and actually expect them to believe it if we aren’t modeling this for them.

What if you only gave “service gifts” this year? Wouldn’t that be an interesting challenge? I like to encourage my kids to give in unique ways by giving their time and even sometimes their money. I want them to learn to give like Jesus. They call relatives to wish them a Merry Christmas, make homemade cards, do chores for their siblings, and take in trash cans for neighbors—these are just a few examples of how they give of their time and serve others.

For more ideas on how to help your kids learn to serve and give, check out our Random Acts of Christmas Kindness printable pack.

2. The Gift of Prayer

The example of Jesus encourages us to put others first but then to make sure our spiritual life is in check. It’s no secret that life brings hard circumstances, and we don’t always know how to handle those things. We need a lifeline, and that lifeline is Jesus THROUGH the gift of prayer.

Maybe you don’t think about prayer as a gift, but again, Jesus was born to give us this very gift. Before Jesus died on the cross, we did not have the privilege of talking to God directly. Only priests could do it and only behind a veil. That veil was torn on the cross, and now we have this amazing gift of personal fellowship with God.

If you’re feeling like the gift of prayer is kinda like IKEA furniture with foreign instructions and lots of pieces, you’re not alone. Even the disciples felt that way and asked Jesus to teach them! We’ve got a great list of prayer resources just for you.

Just remember this, any good builder uses tools. If you want your kids to build a solid and consistent prayer life, you’ll probably find yourself loving this Prayer Bible Study to make the job easier. Of course, there’s a prayer bundle for adults, too!

3. The Gift of a Quiet Time

Cultivating a better prayer life is an incredible gift, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you want a healthy relationship with your lifeline and Savior, Jesus, prayer isn’t enough. I tell my kids to think about it this way. No one has a friendship with a person who talks all of the time and never listens. It’s impossible. If you are going to have a relationship with God, you’ll need to listen.

How do we listen? Well, God doesn’t speak audibly these days, but He has written down everything He wants us to know in the Bible. Give your kids the gift of a quiet time by helping them learn to study the Bible consistently.

The Quiet Time Bundle is the perfect way to help them learn why, what, and how to spend time with God and grow in faith.

4. The Gift of Church

What an amazing gift God blessed us with when He gave us the church! On our best days, we laugh together, eat together, and worship together. When the storms of life rage around us, the church is our safe place. Our community that comes together to be the hands and feet of Christ—lifting us up before our heavenly Father in prayer and offering us a shoulder to cry on, a hot meal, or even just a friend to walk the hard road with us. It is a community of friends who become the family of our hearts.

If you have a wonderful church family, take time this holiday season to talk with your kids about why we need the church and how very blessed they are to experience the community that they have through the body of Christ! Encourage them to do their part to welcome newcomers, serve, and support your church body. 

Maybe you don’t have a church family. Or maybe you go to church, but it isn’t the community that you know it should be. If this is the case, I encourage you to pray about getting more involved in your church or finding a church home. What better gift can you give your kids this year than the beautiful gift of fellowship that God has created for each of us?

Whether you’re attending a church that you’ve been in for years or looking for a new one, one great way that you can help your kids get more out of worship service each week is by helping them focus! The Sermon Notebook is a great tool to help your kids take notes during the service, write down their favorite Scriptures, and even record prayer requests. 

5. The Gift of Scripture Memory

When we list the things that we can do to grow in our walk with the Lord, most people think of reading their Bibles, praying, and going to church. Scripture memory doesn’t usually make the list, but it is easily one of the most valuable things we can do to help our kids grow in their walk with Christ. 

Giving your children the gift of Scripture memory is one way that you can fill their minds with the truth they desperately need to be deeply rooted in Christ. The Bible tells us that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path! We can trust that it will give our kids the wisdom they need to help them know what’s right and what’s wrong in a world that seeks to confuse them about the truth. 

Hiding God’s Word in your kids’ hearts means that when you’re not there to point them in the right direction, you can have peace in knowing that the Holy Spirit will bring those Scriptures to mind to help them along the way. It means that when the opportunity arises for them to share the gospel, they will know just what to say! And when they need to come alongside family, friends, and others who are hurting or need wisdom—they will have the words of Jesus in their hearts to share. 

This Christmas, I challenge you to make Scripture memory a priority in your home! Not sure how to get started? No problem! We’ve created a set of Scripture Memory Cards that you can use to start hiding God’s Word in the hearts of your kids!   

6. The Gift of Siblings

The older we get, the more we treasure the gift that God has given us in our siblings. Unfortunately, our kids don’t always see things quite the same way. It’s hard to help your children understand the wonderful gift that their siblings are to them amid the arguing, complaining, and sometimes tug-of-war that’s happening down the hall! 

This year, it’s time to take on the challenge of helping your kids start to see and appreciate the incredible gift that their siblings really are!  

So how do you get your kids to hear you? How do you change their hearts so that they love their siblings and recognize the gift that they’ve been given? Our Sibling Rivalry Help Center is loaded with resources to get you started! We also have a fantastic Bible study called My Brother’s Keeper that will show your family the truth about siblings, straight from God’s Word. 

7. The Gift of Mercy Through the Story of Jesus 

God gave us the gift of mercy when He gave us Jesus! The story of His mercy starts in the Bible at the very beginning. Before Adam and Eve had even left the garden, God set a plan in place for the redemption of mankind. You see, we are all deserving of death for our sins. But God. I love those words! But God extended mercy. Compassion. Grace. While we were yet sinners, He loved us.   

This beautiful gift of mercy was extended to us—and its story, HIS story, was woven throughout the entire timeline of history. You’ll find redemption in the garden with Adam and Eve, you’ll find it on the ark with Noah, you’ll find it in the deserts of Moab with Ruth and in the valley while David tended the sheep. 

This Christmas, take the time to savor God’s mercy toward you and your precious family. Take time to show your children what a beautiful gift God bestowed on us when He offered mercy through the captivating story of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

One powerful way to walk your family through the journey of the redemption story is with our brand new Bible study Uncovering Mercies at the Manger and the Christmas Countdown Cards. Take a fresh look at the classic Christmas story this year, digging deeper than ever before. You will be amazed at the ways God has been working for you since the very beginning.

Another way to give the gift of sharing the story of Jesus is through classic Christmas carols. Find out how Christmas hymns tell the story of Jesus coming to earth as our Savior in our Adoration at the Manger Bible study. By looking at both God’s word and Christmas hymns, you can delve deeper into the meaning of Christmas in a memorable way! We also have beautiful Adoration at the Manger Ornaments to go along with our Christmas hymn study. As each lesson is completed, hang the corresponding ornament on the tree to be reminded of the truth and beauty of these Christmas hymns. Learning the meaning behind the different Christmas hymns is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with a new understanding of the story of the birth of Jesus.

As we prepare to enter into this Christmas season and the season of giving gifts, let’s give some unexpected gifts this Christmas. Let’s commit together to keep our minds on Jesus and the gifts that draw us closer to Him. Do you have any gifts you would add to this list?