Nativity Study for the Family – Free Nativity Coloring Pages

Around our house, we try to keep Christmas focused on the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate this holiday. So during the first few weeks of December, we do Advent activities, using resources such as free nativity coloring pages, and really try to keep our kids’ focus on Jesus, not the gifts and toys they might receive.

Nativity Coloring Pages

It’s no secret that I love finding simple ways to use free printables with my kids. We use very little curriculum for our younger kids, so I definitely prefer saving money when I can. However, being strategic with our choices, and finding a fun way to teach them about the Christmas story is part of the fun. Our nativity worksheets are just a simple way to help you and your family draw near to God during the busy holiday season.

The Brand NEW Nativity MEGA Activity Pack includes a set of nativity coloring pages with more than 60 nativity coloring sheets, along with some word puzzles, playdough mats, prewriting and to activities, readers, writing prompts and so many other fun activities. This pack is a great way to introduce the Nativity story to them. 

Teaching about the Nativity

We love reading different stories of the Advent season, the story of the birth of Jesus in the Bible, holiday traditions, and some family favorites too. This is also a great time to talk to your kids about the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus! We like to use our own Nativity set to teach our kids about the story of baby Jesus and then let them retell the story to help make it stick.

Little People A Christmas StoryThe Advent Jesse TreeAdvent StorybookAdvent Devotions for Busy FamiliesWho is Coming to Our House?Christmas in the MangerChristmas Time: It’s All About Jesus!Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerThe Berenstain Bears & the Joy of GivingMadeline’s ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!The Biggest Snowman Ever

Christmas School

Have you ever heard of “Christmas School”? I’m not sure how others use this term, but I use it to describe the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas in our homeschool. The Christmas season can be a busy one for many families, which is why some years we have kept to a semi-regular schedule, while others we have taken a more relaxed approach.

Teaching The Story of Christmas

Teaching our children the story of Christmas and how the Savior of the world came to earth as a tiny, innocent baby is one of our greatest joys. Over the years we have used different approaches according to their ages. 

One of our favorite ways to spend an evening is watching movies that tell the story of Jesus and his birth from a Biblical perspective. This fun activity is not only an excuse to spend an evening inside, but to also slow down at Christmas time.

Movies for Little Ones

The Star – My kids have loved this movie since it came out in 2017. This fun animated movie tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of donkey. As he breaks free from the life he was faced with, he meets up with other animals as they follow “the star” on an adventure and journey of a lifetime. Watch on DVD or Prime Video

VeggieTales: The Best Christmas Gift – The VeggieTales movies have always been a favorite in our home and this one is no different. It is a fun animated story that teaches the promise of Christmas when they travel back in time to save their show. Watch on DVD

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)​ – This may be old, but my kids love the claymation movies. And while this one isn’t as popular as Frosty the Snowman, I do believe they enjoy it just as much. Plus, this one brings the focus back to Jesus’ birth, which makes it a favorite for us. I think kids of all ages, as well as adults, will enjoy this one while giving you some nostalgia. Watch on DVD or Prime Video

Movies for Older Kids

Saving Christmas – This is a great video from Kirk Cameron. He talks about the Jesus’ birth and how our traditions and celebrations may just have a biblical foundation. He also shares how we can continue to pursue our faith and follow Jesus, when our culture tries to preach against it. While I believe this is great movie for middle and even high schoolers, as they face many of these same arguments amongst their peers, I definitely recommend previewing this before watching it with them. This could be a great conversation starter for the entire family. Watch on Prime Video

The Nativity Story (2006) – This movie is a realistic portrayal of the criticism and scoffing that Mary and Joseph faced prior to the birth of the son of God. This film is less theatrical as it strives to really show what life was like in Israel during that time. It brings in key characters that are often overlooked in more theatrical versions, including King Herod. This is another one I would recommend previewing to approve for your own children. Watch on Prime Video

Movies for High School and Adults

Chasing the Star (2017) – This movie is rated 13+ on Amazon Prime, so I don’t recommend it for younger audiences. However, I do think it is worth the time to watch with your older kids or as a date night with your spouse! It does take some more theatrical licensing, so be forewarned it isn’t completely true to the biblical account. But it gives us an interesting point of view from the Magi. Watch on Prime Video

The Star of Bethlehem (2007) – If you enjoy science, this is the movie for you! And honestly, even if you don’t, I would highly recommend you give this one a try. My husband and I watched it years ago with our small group from church and it was such a wonderful testimony of God’s infinite wisdom and the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Watch on DVD-Rom (this will play in a regular DVD player, but in a computer it will offer some downloadable materials!) or Prime Video

December Family Study

One activity we found to help our older children connect, is doing a family study together during the month of December. Our 12 Days at the Nativity is a wonderful and simple family-style study about twelve different people, places, and items surrounding the nativity. 

This download includes 83 pages of nativity printables with a daily focus as well as nativity scene coloring pictures for kids to create their own nativity at home! Starting with Christ’s lineage in David, you will read the corresponding verses for each character, then allow the older kids to answer questions about the verses and maybe even help the younger children with their own answers. Each day also includes prayer points based on the daily focus, which will help you pray together as a family. Each day also includes a verse poster and notebooking page in color and black & white.

This printable PDF is a wonderful way to help you slow down each day as you focus on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ. 

Daily Focus Include:

• ​David – as he relates to the lineage of Jesus
• Bethlehem
• Jesus’ mother Mary
• Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph
• Swaddling cloths
• Manger
• Inn Keeper
• Shepherds
• Angels
• Baby Jesus
• The Star
• Three Wise Men

Download your own 12 Days at the Nativity Study

This simple study about the Nativity, is a great way to focus more on the Birth of Jesus this Christmas season. This shorter study is perfect for a family study that all ages can enjoy together as you learn about 12 key aspects of the Nativity.