Before you can teach the Christmas story, you need to know what to include. The biblical account comes from two main places in Scripture—Luke 2 and Matthew 1-2.
Here's the basic narrative children need to understand:
God promised His people that He would send a Savior. An angel appeared to a young woman named Mary and told her she would have a baby boy, and she should name him Jesus. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. Joseph married Mary even though he knew the baby wasn't his—God had shown Joseph in a dream that this baby was special, sent by God.
The Roman government required everyone to return to their hometown to be counted. Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem, and Mary went with him even though she was about to have her baby. When they got to Bethlehem, so many people had come to town that there was no room for them to stay anywhere. They ended up in a stable where animals were kept.
That night, Mary had her baby. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger—a feeding box for animals—because that was all they had.
Out in the fields near Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their sheep at night. Suddenly an angel appeared to them with bright light all around. The shepherds were terrified. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Then the whole sky filled with angels praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
When the angels left, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." They hurried to the town and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. After they saw him, they spread the word about what the angel had told them. Everyone who heard it was amazed.
Later, wise men from the east saw a star and knew it meant a special king had been born. They followed the star to Jerusalem, then to Bethlehem. When they found Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped him. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This is the story at the heart of Christmas—God sending His Son to earth as a baby, born in the humblest circumstances, announced first to simple shepherds, and worshiped by wise men from far away.
Teaching Christmas by Age: What Works for Each Stage
Kids at different ages can understand different parts of the Christmas story. A two-year-old and a ten-year-old need very different approaches.
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (Ages 0-4)
Very young children can't grasp complex theology, but they can start building a foundation about Jesus.
Say Jesus' name often during the Christmas season. When you see a nativity scene, point to baby Jesus and say his name. Make simple statements like "Jesus was born" or "Mary is Jesus' mother" or "The shepherds came to see baby Jesus."
Let toddlers touch and handle nativity figures. Get a sturdy set that won't break, and allow them to play with the pieces while you talk about each one. "This is Mary. Mary loved baby Jesus." "These are the sheep. The shepherds took care of sheep."
Sing simple Christmas songs about Jesus. "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" work well for this age. Don't worry if they don't understand all the words—they're hearing Jesus' story through music.
At this age, hands-on experiences matter more than long explanations. They learn by repetition and simple associations. Every time they see the nativity, hear Jesus' name, or sing a Christmas song about him, you're building understanding.
A simple Bible verse for this age: "Jesus was born in Bethlehem" (Matthew 2:1). Say it together often during December.
Early Elementary (Ages 5-7)
Kids in this age range can start understanding the Christmas story with more detail.
They can learn that an angel told Mary that Jesus would be born. They can understand that God planned for Joseph to be part of Jesus' family. They can grasp the concept that there was no room at the inn, so Jesus was born in a stable.
Read the Christmas story from Luke 2 in a children's Bible. Let them see the words on the page and follow along. After you read, ask simple questions: "Who told Mary about Jesus?" "Where was Jesus born?" "Who came to visit baby Jesus?"
This age can begin to understand that Jesus was sent by God. You can explain in simple terms: "God loves people so much that He sent Jesus to earth. Jesus came as a baby, just like you were once a baby."
Kindergarteners and first-graders love to ask questions. Don't shut down their curiosity. If they ask something you're not sure how to answer, it's fine to say, "That's a great question. Let me think about the best way to explain that."
At this stage, connect Christmas to God's love for them personally. "God loved the whole world so much that He sent Jesus. That includes you! God loves you."
Bible verses for this age: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16). "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Older Elementary (Ages 8-12)
Kids in this age range can grasp deeper concepts about why Jesus came to earth.
They can start to understand that Jesus' birth was part of God's plan from the beginning. You can introduce the idea that prophets in the Old Testament told about Jesus hundreds of years before he was born. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given." Isaiah wrote that about 700 years before Jesus' birth.
These kids can read the Christmas story themselves from their own Bibles. Encourage them to read Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 on their own, then talk about what they read.
At this age, children can begin to understand that Jesus is God in human form. Jesus came to earth as a baby and grew up experiencing what it's like to be human. He knows what we go through. But he's also God's Son, which makes him different from any other person who ever lived.
Help them see the big picture. Jesus didn't come just to be a cute baby in a manger. He came to grow up, teach people about God, die for our sins, and rise from the dead. Christmas is the beginning of that story.
Talk about how Jesus can relate to their lives right now—their struggles, their questions, their hopes. He became human so he could understand everything we experience.
Bible verses for this age: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
Practical Ways to Teach the Christmas Story
Once you know what to teach based on your child's age, you need practical methods that fit into real family life during the busy Christmas season.
Use Your Nativity Scene
Your nativity set is one of the best teaching tools you have. When you unpack it, don't just set it up and walk away.
Sit down with your kids and let them help arrange the figures. As you pull out each piece, talk about who it is and their part in the story. "Here's Mary. The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would have a baby named Jesus. Mary said yes to God's plan even though it would be hard."
"Here's Joseph. Joseph was going to marry Mary. When he found out Mary was going to have a baby, he didn't understand at first. But God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to explain that this baby was from God. Joseph trusted God and married Mary anyway."
"These are the shepherds. They were out in the fields at night watching their sheep. Suddenly angels appeared and told them about Jesus being born. The shepherds were so excited that they went right away to Bethlehem to see the baby."
Some families don't put baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas morning. You might set up the empty stable in early December, add Mary and Joseph, then the shepherds, and save baby Jesus for Christmas Day. This builds anticipation and helps kids understand the story happened in sequence.
Let kids touch the nativity pieces. If you're worried about breakage, get a wooden set or a kids' nativity that's made to be played with. When children can hold the figures and move them around, they engage with the story more.
Read the Christmas Story from Scripture
Reading directly from the Bible shows kids that this isn't just a nice story someone made up. It's in God's Word.
Luke 2:1-20 is the classic Christmas passage about Jesus' birth and the shepherds. Matthew 1:18-25 tells about Joseph's dream and why Jesus was named Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12 tells about the wise men visiting Jesus.
Make Bible reading special by creating the right atmosphere. Turn off screens. Dim the overhead lights and turn on just the Christmas tree lights. Light a candle if it's safe to do so. Gather everyone together on the couch with blankets.
Read slowly and with expression. Don't just rush through to check it off your list. When you get to the angel speaking to the shepherds, make your voice reflect the angel's message. When you read about the shepherds being afraid, acknowledge that.
After reading, talk about what you just read. Ask questions based on your kids' ages:
For younger kids: "What animals do you think were in the stable?" "How do you think Mary felt when she saw baby Jesus for the first time?"
For older kids: "Why do you think God chose shepherds to be the first ones to hear about Jesus being born?" "What does it tell us about God that Jesus was born in a stable instead of a palace?"
Don't make this feel like a quiz. Make it feel like wondering together about this amazing story.
Make Traditions Point to Jesus
You probably already have Christmas traditions. You can keep those traditions while connecting them to the real meaning of Christmas.
The candy cane story: The candy cane's shape looks like a shepherd's staff, reminding us of the shepherds who came to see Jesus. Some people say it also looks like a J for Jesus. The white color represents Jesus' purity and sinless life. The red stripe represents Jesus' blood that he shed on the cross to save us from sin.
When you hang candy canes on the tree or give them as treats, tell your kids this story. It helps them see meaning in something they already enjoy.
Gift giving: Before you go Christmas shopping or when you're wrapping gifts, talk about why we give presents at Christmas. We're remembering the gift God gave us—Jesus. We're also remembering the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus.
You might say, "We give gifts because God gave us the best gift ever—Jesus. When we give gifts to people we love, we're showing love the way God showed love to us."
Christmas lights: On a cold December evening, drive through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. As you look at all the twinkling lights, talk about Jesus being the light of the world. John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The lights we put on our houses and trees remind us that Jesus came to bring light into a dark world. Before Jesus came, people were lost and separated from God. Jesus came to show us the way back to God.
Incorporate Music and Media
Music helps kids remember and understand the Christmas story.
Play Christmas carols that tell the story of Jesus' birth. "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Joy to the World," "The First Noel"—these songs all teach about Jesus.
Don't just play them in the background. Sometimes stop and talk about what the words mean. "What does 'no crying he makes' mean in Away in a Manger?" "What are 'heralds' in Hark the Herald Angels Sing?"
Watch movies or videos that tell the Christmas story. "The Nativity Story" is a well-done film about Jesus' birth that older kids will appreciate. For younger kids, many animated versions of the Christmas story are available. Just be sure you're choosing content that accurately tells the biblical account.
Listen to audio versions of the Christmas story in the car. When you're driving to see Christmas lights or heading to a holiday event, put on an audio Bible or a dramatized version of Luke 2.
Creative Activities That Teach
Kids learn by doing. Hands-on activities help them engage with the Christmas story in memorable ways.
Simple nativity crafts: Even young children can make basic nativity crafts. You might help them glue popsicle sticks together to make a stable. Older kids can make more detailed crafts with felt figures or paper nativity scenes.
Acting out the story: Gather some simple props—a doll for baby Jesus, a towel for Mary's head covering, bathrobes for shepherd costumes. Let kids act out the Christmas story. They can take turns being different characters. Don't worry about it being perfect. Let them have fun with it while learning the story.
Advent activities: An Advent calendar or Advent wreath helps count down to Christmas while teaching about Jesus. Each day in December, read a short passage about Jesus' coming or do a simple activity related to the Christmas story.
Service projects: Jesus came to serve others. During the Christmas season, find ways to serve as a family. Take cookies to neighbors. Donate toys to kids who won't have much at Christmas. Help at a food pantry. As you serve, talk about how Jesus came to serve and how we can follow his example.
Regular Family Worship During Christmas
Christmas is one of the easiest times to start or maintain family devotions because the story is so clear and compelling.
Keep it short and simple, especially if you have young kids. Five to ten minutes is plenty. Read a few verses from Luke 2 or Matthew 2. Ask one question about what you read. Pray together thanking God for sending Jesus.
If you use an Advent wreath, light the candles and read the Scripture for that week of Advent. There are many free Advent reading plans available online designed for families.
On Christmas morning before opening gifts, gather around the tree and read the Christmas story together. Some families sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. This one simple act helps kids remember whose birthday we're celebrating.
Attend Christmas church services together. Most churches have special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. These services often include Scripture readings, Christmas carols, and messages about Jesus' birth. Going to church as a family reinforces that Christmas is about Jesus.
Answering Common Kids' Questions About Christmas
Kids ask questions. That's how they learn. Here are some questions you might hear and how to answer them.
"Why was Jesus born in a stable?"
Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem for a census. When they got there, so many people had come to town that every place to stay was full. The only space they could find was a stable where animals were kept. Jesus was born there and laid in a manger—a feeding box for animals.
This shows us that Jesus came in humility. He could have been born in a palace as a prince, but instead he was born in the simplest, humblest place. God cares about all people, not just rich or important people.
"Who were the wise men?"
The wise men were scholars from countries east of Israel who studied the stars. When they saw a special star, they knew it meant a great king had been born. They traveled a long way to find Jesus and worship him.
They brought expensive gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts showed that they believed Jesus was a king worthy of honor. We don't know exactly how many wise men there were. We usually say three because there were three gifts, but the Bible doesn't tell us the number.
"What does 'Immanuel' mean?"
Matthew 1:23 says that Jesus would be called "Immanuel," which means "God with us." This is one of the most important things about Christmas. God didn't stay far away in heaven. He came to earth to be with us. Jesus is God who came to live among people, to experience what we experience, and to save us.
"Why do we give gifts at Christmas?"
We give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift—Jesus. When we give presents to people we love, we're remembering God's gift to us. We're also remembering the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus.
Giving gifts helps us practice generosity and show love to others, which is what Jesus taught us to do.
Keeping Jesus Central Without Removing the Fun
Some parents worry that focusing on Jesus means making Christmas less fun for kids. That's not true at all.
Jesus himself said he came so we could have life "to the full" (John 10:10). God isn't against joy and celebration. In fact, the angel announced Jesus' birth as "good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
You can have a Christmas tree and lights and cookies and still keep Jesus at the center. You can sing "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night" both. You can let kids get excited about presents while also teaching them about God's gift to us.
The key is balance and intentionality. Make sure that in all the activity, Jesus' story gets told. Make sure your children know why we celebrate.
What about Santa Claus?
Different Christian families handle Santa differently, and that's okay. Some families include Santa as a fun tradition but make sure kids know he's pretend. Other families focus only on the real Christmas story and don't do Santa at all.
If you do include Santa traditions, keep them in perspective. Santa gets a small part of Christmas, but Jesus gets the main part. When kids ask if Santa is real, tell them the truth in an age-appropriate way. Some parents explain that Santa is a fun story we enjoy, but Jesus is real and his story is true.
Starting Where You Are
Maybe you're reading this in mid-December and feeling behind. Maybe your kids are older and you haven't been intentional about teaching them the Christmas story in previous years. Maybe you're just not sure where to start.
Start where you are. It's never too late to begin.
If your child is young, the best time to start teaching about Jesus is right now. Those early years build a foundation that lasts a lifetime.
If your child is older and hasn't learned much about the real Christmas story, don't feel guilty. Start this year. Read Luke 2 together. Set up a nativity scene and talk about it. Go to a Christmas Eve service. You're not behind—you're beginning.
You don't have to do everything in this article. Pick one or two ideas that fit your family. Maybe this year you'll read the Christmas story from Luke 2 every night for a week before Christmas. Maybe you'll talk about the nativity scene when you set it up. Maybe you'll watch one good movie about Jesus' birth together.
Small steps matter. Consistent, simple teaching over time builds understanding. Your child doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to care enough to show them who Jesus is and why he came.
The Christmas season will be busy. You'll have shopping to do, cookies to bake, events to attend, and relatives to visit. In all of that, find moments to point your children to Jesus. That's what makes Christmas truly special—not the perfect decorations or expensive gifts, but knowing that God loved us enough to send his Son as a baby born in Bethlehem.
This Christmas, help your kids know the story. Help them understand that Jesus is the reason for all the celebration. And help them see that this isn't just an old story—it's a story that changes everything, including their own lives.
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