As a mom, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year with my kids. The excitement in their eyes, the joy in their voices, which creates an opportunity to teach them the true meaning of Christmas. This makes it such a special season. One of the best ways to help kids understand the story of Jesus’ birth, that I have found, is through music—specifically, church Christmas songs for kids.
These songs not only create a joyful atmosphere but also serve as an engaging way to teach the gospel. Today I want to explore how to incorporate Christmas songs into your kids’ ministry or home life and highlight some of the best options for the season.
Why Christmas Songs Matter in Kids Ministry
Music has a unique way of sticking with us—especially kids. Have you ever caught yourself humming a song you heard or singing the lyrics? Kids are the same way! When children sing songs with meaningful lyrics, those truths often settle deep in their hearts. Christmas songs are no different.
By singing songs that celebrate Jesus’ birth, we’re not just spreading holiday cheer; we’re planting seeds of faith. Many traditional and contemporary church Christmas songs for kids focus on themes of hope, love, and God’s gift of salvation.
How to Incorporate Church Christmas Songs for Kids into Your Ministry
Here are a few tips to bring these songs to life in your kids whether you’re at home or working in kids ministry:
1. Make It Interactive
Incorporate actions or hand motions for the songs to help kids engage. Kids remember songs better if there are motions with them! For example, during Away in a Manger, kids can pretend to rock baby Jesus, or during Go Tell It on the Mountain, they can act out climbing a mountain.
2. Connect Songs to the Nativity Story
Choose songs that align with the biblical story of Jesus’ birth. Use the song lyrics as a teaching tool by connecting them to scripture. For example:
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ties beautifully to Luke 2:14.
- O Come, All Ye Faithful emphasizes worship, echoing the shepherds’ response in Luke 2:20.
3. Host a Kids Christmas Worship Service
Plan a special Christmas service where kids lead the congregation in singing. This not only allows them to participate but also helps them take ownership of worship and ministry.
4. Keep It Fun and Age-Appropriate
Simplify songs for younger kids. Find songs with repetitive lyrics or choruses that will help them catch on to the songs easier. For older kids, consider introducing a mix of traditional carols and more modern Christmas worship songs.
Top Church Christmas Songs for Kids
Here’s a list of tried-and-true favorites along with some new options for your kids’ ministry this Christmas season:
Traditional Favorites
- Away in a Manger – Simple and sweet, perfect for all ages.
- Go Tell It on the Mountain – A fun, upbeat way to celebrate the good news of Jesus’ birth.
- Silent Night – Helps create a reflective moment to teach about the peaceful night Jesus was born.
Modern Worship Options
- Born Is the King (It’s Christmas) by Hillsong – An energetic, joy-filled song for older kids.
- Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin – A contemporary twist on a classic.
- Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah) by We the Kingdom – A great option to emphasize Jesus as the light of the world.
Songs for Younger Kids
- Happy Birthday, Jesus – A simple way to celebrate Jesus’ birth with preschoolers.
- Jingle for Jesus – A fun take on Jingle Bells with Christ-centered lyrics.
Teaching the Real Meaning of Christmas Through Song
While singing Christmas songs is fun, our ultimate goal is to teach kids about the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus. Here are a few ways to reinforce the message behind the music:
- Tie Lyrics to Devotionals
Before singing a song, share a short devotional about the song’s meaning. Here’s and example: explain how Away in a Manger reminds us of Jesus’ humble beginnings. - Encourage Worship at Home
Send home lyric sheets or links to playlists so families can worship together. Encourage parents to sing these songs with their kids as a way to prepare their hearts for Christmas. - Create a Worship Craft
Combine music with a craft, like making jingle bells or creating nativity scenes, to keep kids engaged and reinforce the message of each song.
Teaching Kids to Worship Through Christmas Songs
This Christmas season, let’s use the power of music to point kids toward Jesus. By incorporating Christmas songs for kids into your ministry, you’re doing more than creating fun moments; you’re helping them experience the true joy of Christmas. You’re also planting seeds for conversations about who Jesus is and why we celebrate this season.
These songs are more than melodies—they are opportunities to worship and reflect on the greatest gift of all: our Savior, Jesus Christ. So, gather your little ones, sing loud, and share the good news of His birth this Christmas!