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Teaching Your Kids to Have Character at Christmas

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Who doesn’t want their child to grow up to be a good person, to have manners and know how to act in various social situations?  As Christians, we want our children to become Christ-like.  Teaching your kids to have character at Christmas is a great step in the right direction!

We get so busy at Christmas that we often forget our kids need reminders about how to behave. Perhaps that is why their behavior can seem a bit off the wall this time of year!  Christmas is a great time to take a few minutes and discuss character.  We may expect it to come naturally as adults, but we all had to learn it at one time.  Make it easier for your children (and yourself!) by intentionally teaching character at Christmas.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ESV

How to Teach Character at Christmas (or Any Time!)

  1. Talk about the meaning of the trait you want to teach and why it is important.
  2. Model the character trait you are trying to teach.  Don’t be ashamed to point it out.  You aren’t doing it to be vain or get credit.  It is a teaching tool.  
  3. Likewise, talk about it when you mess up and don’t model the character trait you want to teach.  Let your kids learn from your mistakes.  
  4. Role play different scenarios with your kids.  Act out both the right AND the wrong things to do.  Practice may not make perfect, but it will help them think about how to react in different situations.
  5. Praise your children when you see them exhibiting the character traits.
  6. When your children are not exhibiting the character traits you have been working on, talk about it.  Let them tell you what they could have done differently.  When it is appropriate, have them apologize for wrong behavior.  
  7. Pray and don’t give up.  As humans, we can often only see what is right before us.  God has an eternal perspective.  He can see what is yet to come.  He can and does change hearts and minds.  Pray for your child.  It is a parent’s job to guide and direct, but our children really belong to God.  

Steps to Take to Teach Character at Christmas

Here are a few common Christmas situations you may encounter and some points to discuss with your children…

Generosity: Giving Gifts

  • Think about what the person would like, not necessarily what you would like.  Put yourself in their shoes.  
  • If you get allowance or have money of your own, be willing to give some of it up.  It doesn’t have to be much, but it really means something when it comes from your own money or if you give of your own time to pick it out, make it, or wrap it.  

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 ESV

Thankfulness: Accepting Presents Graciously

  • Realize that someone had to sacrifice (money, time, resources) to give them a gift.
  • Admire the gift you are given.  You don’t have to love it, but look for at least one good thing about it.  
  • Look the giver in the eye and say, “Thank you”  and something nice about the gift.  Even if you aren’t thankful for the gift itself, you should be thankful they thought of you and care enough to give you something.  
  • If you really want to show your thankfulness, send a thank you card after Christmas.  It shows you have not forgotten their generosity.  Make sure to include a personal touch about why you liked their gift.  

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Hospitality: Loving on Family and Friends in Your Home

  • Put on a welcoming smile.
  • Remember that your visitors are only with you for a little while. You can do anything for a short time.  This is your chance to show your best and love on others the way God does.
  • Put other’s needs ahead of your own.  You always have your home and your stuff.  It’s okay to let someone else use it for a while.  Once they leave, it will be all yours again.  

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 ESV

Self Control: Manners in Someone Else’s Home

  • Treat other people the way you want to be treated.  Also treat their things the way you would want your things to be treated.  Try to leave everything in as good, or better, condition than you found it.  
  • Use your best manners.  “Please and thank you” go a long way.  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

May you have a fun and blessed Christmas season.  And may you see Jesus in the faces of your children!  

 

How do you teach character to your children?  What character traits are the most important to you?

 

Filed Under: Curriculum, Family Life, Family Time, Philosophies Tagged With: Christmas, Family

Comments

  1. Terri says

    December 21, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    such a great concept to share with our kids.
    Terri recently posted…Guest post InterviewMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Amy Hagerup says

    December 21, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    Love this. So important to train our children with concrete ideas and examples. Love!
    Amy Hagerup recently posted…Natural Immune Boosters for the Flu SeasonMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Jacqui Odell says

    December 21, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    These are such great tips!! I have been working on this with my kids. It’s hard but it’s important.

    Reply
  4. Grace says

    December 21, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    Great ideas for all year long!! This is the goal of all parenting!

    Reply
  5. Annemarie LeBlanc says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Children are like learning sponges. They imitate what they see, so aside from just teaching them about character, we must set the example for them to emulate. This is such a great post. Sharing it with friends too. Hope you have a Blessed Christmas! Peace Hope and Love from our family to yours!

    Reply
    • admin says

      December 22, 2016 at 7:50 am

      Thank you Annemarie, and the same to your family! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  6. Andrea says

    December 22, 2016 at 5:24 am

    Not just at Christmas, but great ideas to be used all year around – have a BLESSED holiday!

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    December 22, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Love this list of lessons! I do try to work hard at slowing down so we can put many of these things in to practice. Practicing these character traits this time of year can make it easier to act on them all year long. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Caroline says

    December 23, 2016 at 8:52 am

    I love your heart! This is so important to do and I am so glad you take time to do it!

    Reply
  9. Kay says

    December 29, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Such an important thing to do! Great post!
    Kay recently posted…The Whole Truth & Nothing But The Truth.My Profile

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    December 29, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    Not just at Christmas – but every single day of the year!
    Andrea recently posted…What Are You Praising The Lord For In Your Life This Week?My Profile

    Reply
  11. Alex says

    December 30, 2016 at 6:00 am

    As a teacher, I am so thankful when children know and can apply these traits. We talk about them on a regular basis but nothing beats learning from your parents.

    Reply
  12. Jessica Starks says

    January 6, 2017 at 11:26 am

    This is so awesome! Learning these concepts have become so foreign for some families. It’s always nice to know that there are still people who want to instill these values in their kids
    Jessica Starks recently posted…2 Words for 2017My Profile

    Reply
    • admin says

      January 6, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks Jessica! I think we just have to be intentional about it. Sometimes we forget and expect it to come automatically.

      Reply

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Hello! I'm Tara. My kids and I spend a lot of time in our van (and elsewhere) singing, playing , and praying. Join us as we navigate through the winding roads of life, enjoy the journey, and arrive at a place where we love Jesus with all our hearts. Read More
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