Why We Should Use Symbols to Teach Our Children About the Value of Family, Religion, and Culture

Christmas is a time of year when many families come together to celebrate. It is a time for giving and spending time with loved ones. For Christians, it is also a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. One of the most important aspects of Christmas is the tradition of giving gifts. Many people believe that this tradition comes from the story of Santa Claus, who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve. While Santa Claus is certainly an important part of Christmas, there are actually symbols and traditions that are far older than him that teach children about the importance of family, religion, and culture.

Teaching with Symbols

One of the best ways to teach children about the importance of tradition is to use symbols. Symbols are objects that represent something else. They can be used to represent ideas, beliefs, or values. For example, the Christmas tree is a symbol of Christianity. It represents the Tree of Life from the Bible. The star on the top of the tree represents Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. The presents under the tree represent God’s gift of salvation to humanity.

When it comes to symbols, there are literally hundreds of them associated with Christmas. Here are just a few:

The Nativity Scene: This is a scene that depicts the birth of Jesus Christ. It usually includes a stable, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the three wise men.

The Christmas Star: This star represents Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world.

The Christmas Tree: This tree represents the Tree of Life from the Bible.

Presents: These represent God’s gift of salvation to humanity.

For non-Christians, there are still many symbols associated with the holiday season that can add meaning and significance to important days. For example, take the widespread use of the story of Santa Claus and the reindeer at Christmas time. While not necessarily associated with the birth of Jesus, in many ways Santa Claus is a symbol of giving. He brings presents to children on Christmas Eve. Similarly, the reindeer are symbols of love and goodwill. They help Santa deliver his gifts to children all over the world.

Culture and Tradition

In addition to symbols, there are also many traditions associated with Christmas. These traditions vary from culture to culture. In some cultures, people exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. In others, they wait until Christmas Day. Some cultures have a tradition of eating special foods on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Others have special ceremonies or events that take place during the holiday season.

One of the most important things about these traditions is that they help to teach children about their culture and heritage. When children learn about the traditions of their culture, they also learn about the values and beliefs that are important to their families and communities. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for parents to teach their children about the importance of family, religion, and culture.

As you can see, symbols and traditions are an important part of teaching children about their heritage, love for others, and different aspects of Christianity. By using symbols, we can teach our children about the importance of family, religion, and culture in a fun and interactive way. And both symbols and traditions remind us that even though the world can be a tough place, there is always something worth celebrating. So this Christmas, take some time to teach your children about the importance of tradition and family and religion through symbols. It will be a Christmas they will never forget.

What symbols do you use to teach your children about Christmas? Do you have any favorite Christmas traditions? Share them in the comments below!

Look for my book Stars, Stockings & Shepherds: Discover the Symbols of Christmas in stores and online!