Christmas really is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. How, in these commercialized days of Santa Claus, on an overworked traditionally Christian holiday, can you override society's popular misconception that Christmas is just about family and giving and, in a sense, put Christ back into Christmas for children?
The Reason
It's good that children think of family and giving around Christmas. But for anyone of Christian faith, it might be disappointing to learn that children think this is the purpose of the holiday. It's Jesus that is the cause for celebration—his humble birth in a lowly manger, God's only son brought to serve as our Savior. It’s a birthday.
But it's not just any birthday, nor can it be celebrated as such. Get the children in your life involved, and plan to wish Jesus a happy birthday!
Why a Cake?
Well, what birthday would be complete without one? Notwithstanding, the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their trouble finding a place to stay often reminds us of the meager life into which our Lord was born—rather unwelcoming, somewhat unpleasant, in a stable with animals. Obviously Jesus didn't get a birthday cake, but since this is a symbol children today associate with birthdays it's a way to help them relate to Jesus as a human and remember that Jesus was born human like we are.
Some suggest that each part of the cake should have significance, down to its shape and taste, but this is really up to you and your resources. If you have very young children to work with, they might not fully understand each detail if you put a lot of thought into it, but older children might garner much more meaning from a well-thought out cake.
The following are suggestions for meanings you could attach to the cake. Use one or several, or make up your own.
Shape:
- circle, as a reminder that Jesus' love has no end
- Star of David (6-pointed star), to symbolize the guiding light the shepherds followed to find the Christ child
Flavor:
- chocolate (dark color), to show the sins of the world
- Angel's food, as a reminder that Jesus was sent from God to us on earth
Frosting:
- white, to symbolize Jesus' purity and that he takes away our sins
Decoration:
- angel, to represent the good news and to remind us to spread it to others
- Star of David, same as above
- candles, one to represent Jesus as the light of the world; many to represent those of us through whom Jesus' light continues to shine here on earth (perhaps one for each child); twelve red candles to represent the months of the year and our sins that Jesus removes
A Happy Birthday
With the cake you’ve chosen prepared, gather the children around. Explain that the cake is to celebrate Jesus' birthday, and then, if you chose to incorporate elements of meaning (either your own or those suggested above) explain those, too. With older children, you might ask them to guess what various elements of the cake symbolize.
Once you light the candles, you have a few options—you could sing happy birthday (probably better for younger children who will most likely shout the lyrics) or say a prayer of thanks and praise to God for giving us our Savior. Usually the youngest child gets to blow out the candles.
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