Too much Christmas activity can turn festive into frantic all too quickly. Good intentions pile up as we shop for gifts, decorate the house, enjoy special events, and work on all the details that add that special touch to Christmas. The joy of the Christmas season beckons and we don’t want to miss a single memory to be made with family and friends. But at the same time, we don’t want to brush past the true meaning of Christmas on our way out the door to the next event.

How do we keep faith from fading into the background, overshadowed by preparations and festivities? I’m learning to be intentional about creating space to keep Christ the center of Christmas in the way our family celebrates Christmas.

Though we have many fun traditions like the tree, cookies, and the Grab Bag (a family activity), my favorite traditions keep our focus on faith and family.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#Christmasactivities #faith”]Begin a new tradition of keeping a Christmas memory book of faith.[/tweetthis]

How to create a Christmas memory book of faith:

One simple and meaningful tradition involves creating or adding to a scrapbook or journal devoted to Christmas. I keep the focus on faith and family, but you can also incorporate any aspect of your family Christmas season. Each year collect a few photos, verses, or devotional thoughts in your book. Add a few faith memories each year, creating a special family book of memories and inspiration.

There are many possibilities and variations in making your Christmas Faith Book. The family can work together to create one book or you can make a small book for family members. You can be crafty with paper and decorations. I keep mine simple, using a photo album and some ribbon to decorate the cover.

Incorporate a few of these ideas in your Christmas memory book:

Photos Ideas:

• A family Christmas Eve picture
• Decorating the tree
• Making a gift or craft
• Lighting advent candles
• Giving a gift
• A service project
• Reading the Christmas story
• Christmas photos of parents or grandparents growing up
• A first Christmas photo for each child

Faith Ideas:

• Write a Christmas prayer each year
• Make a Gratitude List of blessings from the year
• Write a letter to Jesus
• Write a note to your family
• Write a prayer for each person for the coming year
• Give a gift of a prayer verse for each family member
• Highlight one special achievement, growth, or victory for each person in the family
• Choose a Christmas verse each year
• Let each child write an entry (could cover any of the above)
• Get a free printable with verses and prayers for your family

Memories:

• Add the family Christmas card or photo each year
• Memorabilia from a special Christmas event
• Let kids add small drawings of a scene from the Christmas story
• Kid drawings of a favorite Christmas memory
• Photos of child’s artwork
• Photo of a homemade gift given
• Invite special guests to write a brief note

Basic Supplies:

• Blank book of some kind–a journal, sketchbook,  or scrapbook of a preferred size
• Photos and memorabilia
• Craft paper or index cards
• Adhesive
• Pens, markers, colored pencils, crayons (as desired)

Optional Embellishments:

• Stickers
• Stamps
• Ribbon
• Washi tape
• Gift tags

How do you keep faith a special part of Christmas with your family? Share you ideas in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!