It’s Christmas morning. My family and I are gathered around the tree, all hoping we get that special item on our list. The adrenaline is pumping as we see the presents Santa brought last night. As I open up my Bible to tell the Christmas story, I can see the groaning in their eyes. What I say next can only be seen through the eyes of a child as some sort of penance that must be paid in order to get those gifts! What a terrible setting to communicate the greatest gift mankind has ever known. Challenge accepted!

Three ways to tell the Christmas story without being being boring

1. Start with a bang

You have about 20 seconds to grab their attention or its over. Consider starting with one of the following before you read the story.

• A line that gets their attention like, “What are some things that are gross? ” Lots of places to go from here. A stable/manger, the birth process etc…
• Tell a quick story of a Christmas from your past. Note: The story must be quick and either funny or surprising.
• Remind them of a family vacation that went wrong, “do you remember the time….?” This leads right into why Mary and Joseph are in a barn.

2. Keep it short

Remember, you’re not trying to tell the whole story, you just want to communicate one point or aspect. The point is not that there were shepherds, wise men and a manger.
The point of the Christmas story: God became a human. God, who is all-powerful, became weak like a baby. Why? because he loves us enough to live like us and with us.

3. Pick a key verse

In the mind of a child reading more than a few select verses, guarantees day dreaming. Don’t worry, you don’t have to read ever aspect of the Christmas story every year. If they’re not listening, you might as well not be reading, right? Pick a new key verse next year. Keep the main thing the main thing.

• For young kids: Luke 2:5-7
• For teenagers: Get a little more theological with John 1:1-5 & 14

Pray to close, or ask them to pray. Unwrap those presents and have a Merry Christmas!