Christmas Activities and Resources

The Shepherd  (Youtube)
In this pilot episode of the series The Chosen, this is the perfect introduction to the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Prayer

Blessing of a Christmas Tree (USCCB)
8 Printable Catholic Christmas Prayers (Sadlier)
Catholic Feast Days (Catholic Apostolate Center)
This website features profiles of saints, special devotions in the church, including those who are blessed and Marian devotions, and other important events in the liturgical calendar.  This ever-growing website can serve as a reference to learn about the lives of holiness of saints throughout the whole Catholic Church.

Christmas- About

Holy Family & The Nativity

As you set up your nativity scene in your home this year (or if you do not have one, gather around the crèche in church one Sunday before Christmas) talk about the many ways each of the figures can teach us about waiting for Jesus, following Jesus, or receiving Jesus.

Mary in Two Minutes

Busted Halo
Who was Mary? Why do we worship her? (Hint: we don't). Watch this video clip to learn more about what we really believe about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Then talk about the ways you will honor Mary and the Holy Family this Christmas season.  Do you have a sacred prayer space in your home? This Christmas you might gather images of the Holy Family in that space. 

Remember Joseph

American Jesuit Review
What about Joseph? We often see Christmas photos of the Madonna and child. In this video we are reminded not to leave Joseph out of the picture. For all you dads out there, your role in the formation of your child is greater than you could imagine. Talk about how daunting it might have been for Joseph to imagine raising the Son of God. How might dads and step-dads be uplifted by Joseph's example?

The Star Family Curriculum (Sony with NCCL and FCH)
Sony's Christmas movie, The Star is the story of the Nativity. See the family curriculum created by members of  In Word and Witness (NCCL at time of creation) and the Federation for the Catechesis of Hispanics.
  • Download the Family Curriculum Guide to Sony's animated Christmas movie, The Star below ​(NCCL).
  • Download the Family Curriculum Guide to Sony's animated Christmas movies, The Star - in Spanish below (NCCL and FCH).
Coming soon: Family Curriculum for The Star in English and in Spanish. 

Las Posadas (Catholic Relief Services)

Posadas, a word that means "shelter" or "lodging," is an Advent custom in Mexico. It re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Posadas takes place over nine days, December 16-24, which symbolizes the nine months of Mary's pregnancy. People go from house to house seeking lodging, but the "innkeepers" refuse to let them stay. On Christmas Eve, the travelers are finally welcomed at the last house where they celebrate the birth of Jesus. To learn more about Las Posadas click HERE.