A Christmas Story for Your Children and Grandchildren

A CHRISTMAS STORY FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN:

Sometimes it can be hard to hold the attention of the little ones when telling the old stories. I wrote the following version of the Christmas story for my grandchildren this year and shared it last night. It’s simple, sweet, and perfect for sharing with grandchildren (or children) of any age. It’s a wonderful way to quiet down the Christmas chaos for just a moment and remember what it’s all about. My grandchildren loved it:

The Night Everything Changed

The Unexpected Visitor

It started in a small, dusty town called Nazareth. It wasn’t a famous place—in fact, people kind of looked down on it. There lived a young woman named Mary. She was probably not much older than some of you. She was engaged to a carpenter named Joseph, and she was likely planning a normal, quiet life.

But God had a different plan.

Suddenly, the angel Gabriel appeared to her. He didn’t just float in on a cloud; he arrived with a message that would shake the world. He told Mary, “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.” He explained that she was going to have a son, and she was to name Him Jesus. He would be the Son of the Most High, a King whose kingdom would never end.

Mary was confused—how could this happen? But when the angel explained that this was a miracle of the Holy Spirit, Mary showed incredible bravery. She didn’t argue. She simply said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.”

A Dream for Joseph Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, was in a tough spot. When he found out Mary was expecting a baby, he was heartbroken and confused. He was a good man, and he didn’t want to embarrass her publicly, so he planned to break off the engagement quietly.

But while he slept, an angel appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” The angel explained that this baby was from the Holy Spirit and that Joseph had a very special job: he was to name the baby Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins.
Joseph woke up and did exactly what God asked. He stood by Mary, ready to raise the Son of God.

The Long Journey Back then, the Roman Empire ruled over Israel. The Emperor, Caesar Augustus, wanted to count everyone so he could tax them. He ordered a census. Everyone had to return to their hometown to sign the register.

For Joseph, that meant a town called Bethlehem.

This wasn’t a quick car ride. It was about an 80-mile journey south, likely on foot and donkey, over rough, hilly terrain. It took days. And Mary was ready to give birth at any moment.

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, it was chaos. The town was packed with travelers. Joseph tried to find a place for them to stay—an inn, a guest room, anywhere—but every door was closed. “No room,” they were told, over and over again.

Finally, they found a space. It wasn’t a hotel; it was a place where animals were kept—likely a cave or a stable. It was cold, it smelled like livestock, and it was dirty. But there, in the middle of the night, the King of Kings was born. Mary wrapped Him in strips of cloth to keep Him warm and laid Him in a manger—a feeding trough for animals.

The Sky Explodes with Joy

While the town slept, some shepherds were out in the fields nearby, watching over their sheep to protect them from wolves. It was a dark, quiet, ordinary night.

Suddenly, the sky tore open with light. An angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of God shone around them. 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. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem!”

Then, as if one angel wasn’t enough, a massive army of angels appeared, lighting up the night sky and shouting praises: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels left, the shepherds didn’t wait. They ran to Bethlehem. They found the stable, just as the angel said, and saw the baby lying in the feeding trough. They were the first people to visit Jesus—not kings or politicians, but regular, hardworking shepherds.

The Mystery of the Star

Sometime later, wise men (Magi) from lands far to the east saw a new, brilliant star in the sky. They were scholars and astronomers, and they knew this star signaled the birth of a new King of the Jews.

They packed up and traveled hundreds of miles, following that star. When they finally arrived at the house where Jesus was, they were overwhelmed with joy. They bowed down and worshipped this little child.

They opened their treasure chests and gave Him expensive gifts fit for a King:

• Gold: For His royalty.
• Frankincense: Incense used by priests, for His holiness.
• Myrrh: A spice used for burial, hinting that He was born to give His life for the world.

Why It Matters

And that is the true story of Christmas. It isn’t just about a baby; it’s about God keeping a promise He made thousands of years ago.

God didn’t send His Son to a palace with servants and guards. He sent Him to a dirty stable in a small town, welcomed by shepherds and foreign travelers. It reminds us that Jesus didn’t come just for the rich or the powerful—He came for everyone. He came to be “Immanuel,” which means God with us.

How Our Traditions Connect to the Story

You might be wondering: If the Bible story is about mangers and shepherds, where did Santa, trees, and presents come from? They actually all point back to Jesus if you look closely.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is an “evergreen.” In the dead of winter, when all other trees lose their leaves and look dead, the fir tree stays green and alive. Christians began using this tree as a symbol of everlasting life. It reminds us that because Jesus was born (and later died and rose again), we can have a life that never ends.

• The Shape: Notice how the tree points straight up? It’s like an arrow pointing to Heaven.
• The Lights: We wrap the tree in lights to remember that Jesus called Himself the “Light of the World.”

Santa Claus

Before he was a character in movies, there was a real man named Saint Nicholas. He lived hundreds of years after Jesus, in a place that is now Turkey. He was a wealthy bishop who loved Jesus very much. Because he wanted to follow Jesus’ command to help the poor, he famously gave away his money to people in need—often in secret, so he wouldn’t get the credit.

The “Santa” we see today is a fun memory of a real Christian hero who was generous because Jesus was generous first.

Giving Gifts We don’t just give gifts because it’s fun to open them. We give gifts for two spiritual reasons connected to the story:

The Wise Men: We are imitating the Magi who brought their best treasures (Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh) to honor the King.

The Ultimate Gift: The Bible says that God “gave” His only Son. Jesus was the very first Christmas gift. When we give a gift to someone we love, we are acting like God, showing love through giving.

A Prayer for Your Children/Grandchildren

Father, thank You for these amazing grandchildren. Thank You that the story of Christmas isn’t just a fairy tale, but the moment You came to be with us.

I ask that You would open their eyes to see You—not just as a baby in a manger, but as the King who walks beside them every day. As they grow up in a world that can be confusing and loud, let the peace of that first Christmas night guard their hearts. Give them the courage of Mary to say ‘yes’ to You, and the wisdom of the Magi to seek You above everything else.

Bless them this coming year. Protect them, guide them, and let them know how deeply they are loved—by me, and by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.