How to tell the Christmas story with coloring pages
Read a short passage, let your child color that scene while you talk, and ask one open question. Five nights, five scenes, and the whole Christmas story is told.
Young children remember what they do with their hands. A coloring page gives a five-year-old twenty quiet minutes with one picture, and that is long enough for a Bible story to sink in.
What do you need?
A Bible (a children's Bible is fine), crayons or colored pencils, and one coloring page per night. Our free coloring page is a good place to start.
A five-night plan
Each night: read the passage aloud, hand over the page, and talk while they color.
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The angel visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Ask: how do you think Mary felt?
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The journey to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Ask: what would you pack for a long trip?
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Jesus is born (Luke 2:6-7). Ask: why do you think God's Son was born in a stable?
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The shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Read the angel's words slowly:
"Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David's city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
Ask: who would you tell good news to first?
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The wise men (Matthew 2:1-12). Ask: what gift could you give Jesus this Christmas?
How long should it take?
About fifteen to twenty-five minutes a night: two or three minutes of reading and the rest coloring and talking. Stop while they still want more.
What if my child just wants to color?
That's fine. Let them color and keep reading or talking quietly. They're listening more than it looks. One question is plenty; you don't need to quiz them.
What do we do with the finished pages?
Put them on the fridge in order. By the fifth night your child can walk a grandparent through the whole story, pointing at their own pictures. That retelling is where it really sticks.