Christmas 2026 · Bible Heroes
Christmas family guide
Christmas is not one day but a whole season, from Christmas Day to Epiphany. This guide gives two family evenings, one with The Nativity and one with The Wise Men, each with three questions, one thing to do together and a short prayer. Use it at home or with a class after the holidays.
How to use it
- Keep your Advent wreath out and light all the candles, or add a white Christ candle in the middle.
- Read the story aloud together. Let the children act out the parts if they like.
- Talk about one or two of the questions, do the activity, and close with the prayer.
- Between the two evenings, follow one day of the 12-day Christmas countdown each evening.
Christmas Day · Friday, December 25
1. God with us
Light all four Advent candles and the white Christ candle.
Read together: The Nativity
Luke 2:1–20
Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Angels announce good news of great joy to shepherds on the hillside, and the shepherds hurry to find the baby and then tell everyone what they saw. Read it on Christmas Day or Christmas night, when the excitement of the morning has settled.
Talk about it
- If you had been one of the shepherds, what would you have said when you saw baby Jesus?
- Mary kept all these things in her heart. What do you want to remember about this Christmas?
- Who could we share the good news of Jesus with this week?
Do together: Shepherds' good news
- Make a simple card for someone who might be alone this Christmas.
- Draw the manger scene on the front and write a short Christmas blessing inside.
- Deliver it or mail it during the Christmas week.
Pray
Jesus, you came to us as a little baby in Bethlehem. Thank you for coming to be with us. Help us share your joy like the shepherds did. Amen.
Epiphany · Sunday, January 3
2. Jesus is for everyone
Light the Christ candle, or set a star in your window.
Read together: The Wise Men
Matthew 2:1–12
Wise men from the East follow a star all the way to Bethlehem to find the newborn king. King Herod wants to stop him, but the wise men kneel before Jesus, give their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and go home another way. Epiphany is traditionally January 6; in Canada and the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and 8, which is January 3 in 2027.
Talk about it
- The wise men traveled a long way to find Jesus. What helps you find Jesus?
- Why do you think God led people from far away to Jesus?
- The wise men gave Jesus gifts. What gift could you give Jesus this year?
Do together: Chalk the door
- With chalk, write 20 + C + M + B + 27 above your front door. The letters stand for the traditional names of the wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and for Christus mansionem benedicat, May Christ bless this house.
- Pray the closing prayer together at the door.
- Leave the chalk there through the new year as a reminder to welcome everyone who comes in.
Pray
Lord Jesus, the star led the wise men to you. Lead us to you too, and bless our home and everyone who comes through our door this year. Amen.
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