Your kids probably know ‘what‘ happens on Christmas, but do they know ‘why‘ we celebrate this special holiday? Do they know why we give each other gifts this time of year? Do they know the reason our churches offer special worship services?
A new devotional by the publishers of Shepherding a Child’s Heart offers parents help explaining the “why” behind Christmas. Why Christmas? is a Christmas devotional written by Barbara Reaoch. It’s designed to lead families through the Christmas story and its significance for the rest of the year. Readings begin on the first day of December and culminate on Christmas Day.
Publisher’s Description: “Why Christmas? is a helpful devotional with Scripture reading, memory verse, Christmas carol and questions to direct your child’s heart towards God. The readings, which begin on the first day of Day of Christmas are biblical, short, and effective.
What I liked about the devotional:
- Daily readings are short and sweet
They can be tailored to several age groups. This devotional requires no preparation. It is written for the purpose of engaging your children in God’s Word through discussions that happen naturally in family devotions. Sometimes simple really is best.
- It’s all about Jesus!
Each reading includes a simple truth spelled out for children that all center on the person and work of Jesus Christ (i.e. Jesus is God, Jesus is Immanuel, God tells the truth about Jesus in the Bible, etc).
- Readings close with a Christmas carol or hymn.
My kids love to sing, and incorporating the time-honored tradition into a family setting just seems right.
What I didn’t like about the devotional:
- The artwork could be stronger.
If you’re a stickler about artwork being ‘theologically correct,’ then you might bristle at the angels having wings or the depiction of the wise men presenting an infant Jesus with gifts when he was probably a little older. But other than that, the pictures are lovely, hand-drawn representations and don’t detract from the message of the devotional readings.
I wholeheartedly recommend Why Christmas? to help you jump start family devotions in your house. This is something that could be tailored to fit a variety of schedules – all designed to lead you into a worshipful advent season.
Need some more hands-on ideas for teaching your kids about Christmas? Then check out my post 4 Ways to Help Your Kids Develop a Giving Heart.
Find out about the links in this post by clicking here.
Related Posts

Hi Melissa,
Great reading your blog!
Would you like to have a copy of Why Easter?
I’d be happy to send it to you.
For His glory in the next generation,
Barbara