The NZS.com New Zealand Christian Christmas article contains information on Christianity, religion and religious Christmas celebrations, including poems, crafts, cards, music, songs and stories in NZ.

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Christian Christmas

New Zealand Christian Christmas

Incorporating Christian or religious activities, rituals and customs into your Christmas celebrations can make this time of year special for both Christians and non-religious Kiwis. Find out how you can bring some spirituality to the festive season with poems, crafts, songs and stories.

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With an emphasis on Christmas shopping and gift buying, the original Christian meaning of Christmas is often overlooked. For both followers of Christianity and those who consider themselves non-religious, the traditions and rituals of a Christian Christmas can be enjoyable and add deeper meaning to the celebration of Christmas Day.

The history of Christmas traditions
Did you know that Christmas tradition and celebration dates back over 4,000 years? You might not know these Christmas facts:

The celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth was first marked by the Christian Church around 300AD, when the Roam Catholic Church introduced the mass of Christ’s birth.
Many Christmas traditions pre-date the birth of Jesus Christ – the 12 days of Christmas, the Yule Log, Christmas parades and carols all date back thousands of years to early Pagan rituals. The idea of the Christmas tree is derived from ancient traditions surrounding the worship of trees and their use in warding off evil spirits.
Jesus was not born on 25 December – he was born in the middle of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. The celebration of Christ’s birth was timed to coincide with the Babylonian celebration of the Sun God (or Winter Solstice), in the hope that the Christian festival would replace the Pagan one.
Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing - toasting neighbors to a long and healthy life.
Boxing Day, December 26, is also a holy day known as The Feast of Saint Stephen, celebrating a little-known Saint who was the first Christian to be martyred for his faith.
The tradition of Christmas lights dates back to the time when Christians were persecuted for saying Christmas Mass, so a candle was lit in a household's window as a sign that Mass would be held there that night.
The idea of the jolly red man, Father Christmas, was inspired by Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop. Little is known of his life, but legend has it that he gave generously to three young girls whose father could not afford their dowry, forever tying him to the custom of gift giving to children at Christmas.

How can I celebrate a Christian Christmas?
If you want to add a religious aspect to your Christmas celebrations, you might like to:

1. Attend a church service
New Zealand has a large number of churches, spanning all denominations and geographical locations. Check service times at your local New Zealand church – many will hold a mass on Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas Day. If you do not regularly attend church, Christmas can be an ideal time to join a congregation or to celebrate with Christian rituals and traditions. Christmas church services are often aimed at a broad audience, celebrating the birth of Jesus as well as bigger themes such as peace on earth and the unity of humanity.

2. Celebrate Advent
The period from the first day of December until Christmas Day is known as Advent. Originally Advent was a time of fasting and self-reflection in preparation for the Epiphany (the celebration of the baptism of Christ) in January. Today, the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day is celebrated as a time of hope, joy and expectation in preparation for remembering the birth of Jesus. People often celebrate Advent by making or buying an Advent calendar, with windows to be opened on each day of Advent. You might also want to light four candles each night during Advent (the candles represent the four Sundays of Advent), make a wreath or attend special Advent church services.

3. Get creative with some Christmas crafts
There are many simple Christmas craft ideas to keep impatient children occupied and to give your home a festive feel. Here are just a few crafty ideas for a Christian Christmas:

Set up a Nativity scene with store-bought figurines and animals, or make your own from plasticine
Make Christmas candle holders using containers, jars or old saucers.
Hang stars from your door handles, made from coloured felt or card.
Make your own Christmas tree decorations representing angels, the star of Bethlehem or figures from the Christmas story.
Create homemade Christmas cards with pictures of the nativity scene, Jesus, the three wise men or angels. Draw your own pictures or use old Christmas cards and pictures to create a collage effect.

Shop for card, paint, glitter, pine cones, ribbon and other craft materials online and get inspiration for yourself or your children by looking at well-loved Christmas pictures.

4. Read Christmas poems
Whether recited or read alone, Christmas poetry and verse can be a great way to bring some spiritual meaning to your celebration. As a form of writing, poetry is subjective and open to interpretation, so don’t be afraid to form your own ideas about what you’re reading and reflect on the poem’s meaning in relation to your own experience. You may want to read alone or share readings with your children, family or friends. Find Christian Christmas poems online or browse Christian books.

5. Reflect on Christmas Bible verses
If you want to include a reading from the Bible on Christmas Day, you’re planning a devotional, or you’re looking for a verse to complete your Christmas card message, there are plenty of Christmas Bible verses from which to choose. As well as the events themselves, you may want to reflect on symbols and metaphors that can inspire or teach us in our lives. Select from this range of passages from the Christmas story:

The birth of Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2:1-14
The visit of the shepherds – Luke 2:15-20
The journey of the Wise Men – Matthew 2:1-12
The birth of Jesus foretold – Isaiah 40:1-11 or Luke 1:26-38
The Virgin Mary – Luke 1:39-45 or Luke 1:46-55

6. Tell the Christmas Story
There are many versions of the Christmas Story. Telling the story of the birth of Jesus is a meaningful and entertaining way to add a Christian focus to Christmas celebrations for children. Choose certain passages, read from an abridged children’s Bible or encourage your kids to act out the story in a Christmas play. Take time to explain the story as you go along and draw attention to miraculous, awe-inspiring aspects of the tale which will appeal to a child’s imagination.

7. Sing Christian songs
Many Christmas carols celebrate the birth of Christ or carry the theme of praise, worship and peace. Sing these songs with friends and family (children will love a Christmas sing along!) or head to local Christmas carol singing events, held throughout December. Some of the best Christian Christmas carols and songs are: