It is the most wonderful time of the year! If your kids are as festive as mine are, then you have started to deck your halls and it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I have one son in particular that loves to decorate for the Holidays. He gets so excited when we get out the bins full of stockings, ornaments, lights, and more! It is almost more fun than Christmas morning. The traditions and symbols of Christmas make the holiday special. This Symbols of Christmas game and Family Home Evening lesson are the perfect way to teach your kids about Christ, the true meaning of Christmas. Comes complete with lesson and printable game.
The Symbols of Christmas Game ~ FHE
Do you ever wonder why we have a star on top of the tree or why candy canes are shaped like a hook? As I was thinking about the traditional Christmas items that we love and treasure, it made me wonder if my family knew the stories behind them all. Knowing the background of the Christmas symbols makes them even more meaningful and special.
This symbols of Christmas family night lesson will help you discover the symbolism behind a collection of popular Christmas symbols. It will bring new meaning to the season as you realize your are surrounded by beautiful reminders of God’s love, peace, family, and hope.
Christmas Family Home Evening Lesson & Symbols Activity
When I was putting together this symbols of Christmas game and lesson and designing the printable, my 11-year-old daughter was sitting next to me at our computer. She asked me about what I was doing and I told her that I was putting together a lesson to teach about the symbols of Christmas. She listened to my explanation, and then she said, “That sounds fun, but what are you going to have them DO?” I was gently reminded that kids don’t want to sit and listen to a lesson…they want to play!
So, this lesson combines learning with a matching game. Everyone in your family will get to participate and take turns teaching each other. During the game, you will take time out to learn about the special Christmas symbols.
Start the activity with a quick background about symbols and Christmas. Explain that the festive holiday decorations that you have in your home represent a spiritual meaning and they are displayed to be a reminder for us about Jesus.
Print the Christmas Symbols Images & Description Cards & Game Sheets
Print out the Christmas Symbols Cards and the Memory Game Sheets. There will be four pages total with the most popular Christmas symbols. If you can print onto cardstock paper, then do! If not, regular printer paper is ok too. If you want to reuse the game over and over again, I would suggest having all of the cards laminated. You can store them away in Ziploc bags.
Cut out the cards and the game pieces.
Lay out the memory game squares upside down on the table or floor. Mix them up so that no one knows the order or positions.
Take turns playing memory! Play in turn. Each player gets a chance to find a match. Turn over two paper squares. If the pictures match, then you get to keep the set. If you do not get a match, flip the cards back over. It is the next person’s turn to play.
In this version of the game, the player that makes a matching set gets to read the Christmas Symbols Card that is associated with the image.
For example, if the player turns over two Christmas trees, then they will keep the set and then read the card that explains the special meaning behind Christmas Trees.
You can let that player have an extra turn for finding a match, or let the play pass to the next person in the rotation. Continue to look for matches and reading about the symbols from the printable.
There are a few of the game pieces that have questions or actions on them. If those cards are made into a set, the player who found them should respond to the question on the card. You could have everyone in your family participate, or just that individual.
Once all of the matching game squares are matched, then the game is over and the Christmas Symbols lesson is complete! You will have learned fun facts about some of the most popular and special symbols of the Season.
Religious Symbols of Christmas ~ Fun Lesson Additions:
Any of the following ideas would be fun to add to your family Christmas lesson. If you want to teach a little more about the meaning of Christmas symbols, besides what is on the Christmas symbols game cards, this is a great resource: Ten Symbols of Christmas.
- Pass out candy canes for the kids to enjoy while playing the game (Symbol – Candy Canes)
- Make star shaped sugar cookies (Symbol – Star)
- Sing ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day’ as a family and talk about the history of the song. (Symbol – Bell)
- Play the game by candlelight (Symbol – Candles)
- Decorate the Christmas tree. Or, if you already have yours up, decorate a small one to anonymously leave on someone’s doorstep with some gifts. (Symbol – Tree)
- Give everyone their own poinsettia to keep in their room. (Symbol – Poinsettia)
- Make small ivy and berry wreaths as a family to display. (Symbol – Ivy & Wreaths)
- Give each child bells to hang on their bedroom door. Every time they hear them ring, ask them to think about the angels announcement of Christ’s birth.
- Start the Stocking for Christ tradition in your family.
As you go throughout December and the Holidays, take time as a family to recognize the symbols that you see in your home and out in the community. Make the effort to remember what the symbols represent and share your testimony about the birth of Christ and his redeeming love.
If you liked this Symbols of Christmas Game, check out:
- 24 Meaningful Christmas Traditions for Families
- 33 Popular Christmas Movies for Families
- Over 150 Christmas Present Ideas ~ For Everyone on Your List
