What is the history of Christmas? This great book shares the history of Christmas for kids — with fun activities and recipes to do!
The last few years there has been a lot of debate over Christmas.
Should we celebrate it? Has it always honored the Incarnation of Jesus Christ?
What about the way we celebrate? Where do the various elements come from?
The History of Christmas for Kids
As a homeschool mom who loves history, I spent time looking for books on the history of Christmas. I put together recipes and activities on the history of the holiday. I even wrote a featured article on Christmas around the world for one of the children’s magazines I write for. It was a lot of work, and I told myself that one day, I’d write a book on the Christian history of Christmas.
Thanks to Christian Focus for the book they sent me. All opinions are my own.
Heather Lefebvre beat me to the task, and she’s done a splendid job with her book The History of Christmas (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2019). The 123-page glossy picture book is not only beautiful, the 12 chapters contain enough information to give your family a month or more of study and activities. The book is perfect for looking at the way we’ve celebrated the birth of Jesus for over 2,000 years.
It’s a great way for your kids to really think about faith, tradition, history, and why we do the things we do.
What is the History of Christmas?
We celebrate Christmas because Jesus Christ, God the Son and the Son of God, became man. He is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin as was prophecied. This is called the Incarnation. Jesus did this so he could live a sinless life and take the punishment for our sins. All who believe in him, confess it with their mouth, and turn from their sin are saved from death to eternal life.
That’s why we celebrate. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a pivotal moment in history that we want our kids to know about!
But what in the world happened to Christmas? Why is it such a big deal, and how did it get to be the celebration it is today?
In short, what is the history of Christmas?
The History of Christmas covers the following events in Christian history:
- Christ’s Birth
- The Early Church
- Dating Jesus’ Birth
- Boniface Spreads Christianity
- Christmas is Named
- St. Francis and the Live Nativity
- Reformers and Puritans
- Luther and the Protestant Christmas
- Christmas is Cancelled
- Christmas in America
- Victorians to Modern Day
- Christmas is Reinvented
- St. Nicholas to Santa Claus
- Christmas is Commercialized
- Christmas Today
- Christmas in the Future
By the end of the book, your kids will know all the important highlights of the history of Christmas.
Origin of Christmas Traditions
Not only will your kids know the history of Christmas, they’ll understand the origin of Christmas traditions as your family works through the activities at the end of each chapter. Our kids have always enjoyed hands-on activities, and studying the origins of Christmas traditions is a great way to round out a study of the history of Christmas.
You’ll find activities such as:
- Enjoy a Shepherd’s Meal
- Bake Roman Cookies
- Make an Edible Tree Trunk
- 24 Medieval Christmas Activities
- Cook Italian Soup
- Bake Medieval German Cookies
- Make Mince Pie Cookies
- 24 Williamsburg Christmas Activities
- Make Victorian Christmas Decorations
- 24 Ways to Love Your Neighbor
- Bake Vintage Christmas Cookies
- 24 Modern Christmas Activities
My favorite part of the book is the Bible study at the end of each chapter. There are two or three passages to read together, followed by discussion questions that will help your kids think through a Scriptural principle that relates to some element of the history of Christmas and how we worship God.
Purchase The History of Christmas
The History of Christmas: 2000 Years of Faith, Fable, and Festivity by Heather Lefebvre is a wonderful journey through the traditions and ideas that have informed our celebration of Christ’s birth.
More than that, it’s a study of people and events over the last 2,000 years that impacted the way we think about Christmas. LeFebvre has written an engaging story of the way Christians have chosen to remember the Incarnation, complete with discussions, activities, and recipes for families to consider.
The History of Christmas: 2,000 Years of Faith, Fable and Festivity
The History of Christmas is a great way to learn Christian history, study the Bible, do some fun hands-on activities, and focus on the incarnation of Jesus as a family!
Your 12-month Bible verse calendar has themed devotions focusing on:
- The Bible
- Love
- The Church
- Resurrection
- Jesus
- Prayer
- The Holy Spirit
- The Fruit of the Spirit
- Salvation
- Our Father
- Thanksgiving
- Advent
Want a sample calendar? Grab your free Christmas Advent calendar here.
Books Make Great Gifts!
Teach the kids about the Bible and Christian history…
…with fun books they’ll love reading!
Introduce your children to engaging stories written in an engaging narrative they’ll want to read. As they learn more about God’s Word and gain real-life heroes, they will learn to apply Scripture to their own lives. And, give yourself the gift of a book that will help your kids learn and love the Bible.
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