I love December. There’s so much to celebrate as well as so much to do, but one of the most fun things we’ve done over the years is to have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party.
What, you’ve never heard of that? That’s ok.
It’s actually something we started doing in our Kids Ministry at church and over the years we have expanded it from what we do on Sunday mornings at church to the homes and neighborhoods of the families we serve. I would love to take a few minutes to tell you about having a Happy Birthday Jesus Party: In Your House and In Your Community.
Before we get into all the details, let me just say that this is just an idea for you and your family. It is by no means a way to pressure you or add one more thing to your already busy December, but simply put, a creative way to bring Jesus back into the Christmas season in your family…and in your community.
So, what is a Happy Birthday Jesus Party?
It’s exactly what it sounds like, it’s a birthday party for Jesus. It’s a time to stop and celebrate the birth of our Savior in a way that kids already know and understand…through a birthday party. We go all out in our Kids Ministry: we have balloons, streamer, cake, juice and even goody bags. We want kids to know that it is a very special day and a birth that deserves a great big celebration.
We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, share the story of His birth, and have a lot of fun with praise and worship during that time too. Our hope is that kids see Jesus as someone that is real…not just a storybook character, but a real, true, and living Savior. One other important part of our celebration is a clear gospel presentation so that kids get an idea of how they can have Jesus in their heart too.
Listen, I realize you might not be at a church that does that or have even heard of a Happy Birthday Jesus party, but what if you took the concept that we do at church to your home and to your community?
What would that look like in your home?
- Bake a cake as a family and have a Happy Birthday Jesus mini celebration. Talk about Jesus’ birth while baking the cake, then eat, enjoy and celebrate together later that day.
- On Christmas day you could sing Happy Birthday Jesus and have a special cake made to share and enjoy with the extended family.
- You could invite a group of the kids from your child’s classroom at church and have a party at your house (cake, singing, goody bags, etc).
What would that look like in your community?
A few of days before Christmas bake a cake with your kids and talk to them about why you are baking it, decorate it with Happy Birthday Jesus and take it with your kids to;
- A neighbor and invite them to join you for church on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
- A firehouse or police department on Christmas day and thank them for their service.
- A homeless shelter and share Jesus’ love with those at the shelter.
I think you get the idea. It’s a pretty cool way to get your kids involved in serving others while also bringing the focus back to Jesus and the gift He has given us. Truly, the most important gift this Christmas season.
I hope you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! I can’t wait to hear all about what God shows you this Christmas season.
If you decide to do a Happy Birthday Jesus Party With Your Kids, please make sure to leave me a comment, I’d love to hear how it goes and what you decided to do (in your home or in your community).
Seeking JOY on the Journey,
Melissa Mashburn
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
