Every year on the podcast, I release a Christmas episode and many of you have told me it’s one of the episodes you look forward to most. This year, I’m sharing two of our family’s favorite faith-based Christmas traditions. They’re simple, meaningful, and rooted in faith, while still being incredibly fun for young children. If you have toddlers or preschoolers, these may become new favorites for your family too.
Today, I’m focusing on two traditions our family has come to cherish, ones I’ve been asked about by friends, listeners, and even people who saw little snippets I shared on Instagram last year. One of these traditions in particular was actually requested as its own episode after someone messaged me about it.
Before I dive in, here’s a little context about the ages of my kids, since that shapes how we practice these traditions:
- My oldest is four,
- My second is 20 months,
- And my youngest, experiencing her very first Christmas, is just four months old.
Our kids are still very little, but I think one of these traditions works well for all ages, even teens and adult children. The second one is especially great for younger kids. I’ll also mention what these looked like when my boys were even younger.
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Tradition #1: The Shepherd’s Supper
This first tradition is the one my son, Colin, talked about for an entire year after we did it. It’s called the Shepherd’s Supper, and it has quickly become a highlight of our Christmas season.
I first heard about this idea from Sally Clarkson, a Christian author and podcaster—many of you may know her from her show Life with Sally. In her family, they call it the Shepherd’s Meal. When I came across it, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to try with my own kids, and it turned out to be even more special than I expected.
We call this tradition the Shepherd’s Supper—even though Sally Clarkson, who inspired the idea, actually calls it the Shepherd’s Meal. I must have subconsciously preferred the alliteration, because “Shepherd’s Supper” is what stuck in our house. Either way, we borrowed the concept from her and adapted it to fit our season of life, and I encourage you to do the same as you read through this. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and make it your own.
When We Do It
The Shepherd’s Supper is simply a special meal, and you can schedule it anytime in December. Some families do it during the week of Christmas or even on Christmas Eve. For us, Christmas Eve is reserved for extended family, and it’s always been our big celebration—full meal, presents, the whole thing. So we save the Shepherd’s Supper for Christmas Day in the evening, which feels like the quiet, reflective end to the holiday.
But truly, you could do this on December 10th, December 18th, or whenever your schedule allows. It can also be a beautiful way to start the Christmas season if that works better for you.
The Heart Behind the Tradition
As we think about the night Jesus was born, the shepherds play such a beautiful role in the story. They were the very first to hear the news of His birth, visited by an angel while they were watching their flocks at night. After hearing the announcement, they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Then they became the first evangelists, joyfully spreading the news of what they had witnessed.
This tradition is a way to bring that moment to life. During the meal, we read the Christmas story—specifically the part about the shepherds, the angelic announcement, and their journey to see the newborn King. The goal is to create an atmosphere that feels a little like being outside under the night sky, imagining what it might have been like to be in their place. That’s the foundation of the Shepherd’s Supper, and from there you can adapt it however works best for your family.
Before explaining exactly how we do it in our home, I want to share a portion from Sally Clarkson’s blog about how her family began this tradition. She started it when she had just one child, looking for a simpler Christmas Eve meal because Christmas Day itself tended to be fuller and busier. Here’s an excerpt of what she wrote:
“I also thought that instead of focusing all of our time, energy, and excitement on “presents” and stockings, that on Christmas Eve, we could really ponder the heart of Christ through his first coming to the shepherd’s with a heavenly chorus, finding a humble mama nursing, tenderly cuddling her baby and remembering that Jesus came for all people—the high, the lowly, educated, pious and ungodly alike. We pondered and both agreed that the glory of Christ appearing to common men and women, shepherding their flocks was something we wanted to copy—the glory of angels singing amidst the ordinary work of shepherds watching over their flocks. And so, Shepherd’s meal became a sacred, mug-loved tradition for all of us.”
How We Set the Scene
So, what makes this meal special in our home?
When we do our Shepherd’s Supper, we turn off all the lights downstairs and eat entirely by candlelight. Kids think this is magical—and honestly, as an adult, it feels sacred and peaceful too. We place candles on the dining table and the countertops (always keeping safety in mind, especially with little ones around). The soft glow instantly makes the meal feel different and memorable.
What We Serve
We keep the food incredibly simple. For our family, the Shepherd’s Supper is a board meal, almost like a charcuterie spread but with things everyone enjoys. My goal is easy, no cooking required—especially because I usually host a big Christmas meal the day before.
Some of the things we’ve included:
- Cheese and crackers
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Pirate’s Booty
- Little gummy snacks for the kids
- A tiny jar of honey (Colin’s absolute favorite last year—he still talks about getting to eat honey with a tiny spoon!)
- Pimento cheese with crackers, which was mine and Adam’s favorite
We serve everything on a large wooden board made from wood from my dad’s sawmill business. It’s a special family piece we had created after he passed away, and using it adds another layer of meaning.
You can set this up however works for your home—on the dining table, on a coffee table while sitting on the floor, even on a picnic blanket with candles kept safely up on the counter.
If you have small kids, embrace the unpredictability. Last year, Colin was three, and he decided the candlelight made things “too dark.” We ended up turning the Christmas tree lights on, then the hallway lights, then off again… at one point the kitchen lights were on, then off, then on again.
And that’s okay. Some kids may not like certain parts of it at first. Some might love it immediately. The beauty is in trying something meaningful and letting it evolve into a tradition your family grows into over time.
Reading the Christmas Story
At some point during the meal, we read the Christmas story—specifically the shepherds’ part, from the angel’s announcement to their journey to find Jesus. We talk about what that might have been like and how remarkable their role in the story is.
Last year, we read from The Jesus Storybook Bible, which we love and recommend for young kids. You can also read straight from Scripture, but the Jesus Storybook Bible is especially engaging for little ones. When Colin was three, the story really clicked for him in a new way, which made the whole moment feel even more special.
Colin was so engaged last year with the idea that we were like the shepherds: reading their story, imagining their journey, and talking about Jesus together. He absolutely loved it. Ethan, who was only nine months old, had his own sweet version of enjoying the experience. He sat in his high chair sampling new cheeses, taking in the candlelight, and soaking up all the excitement. Even though the impact is bigger for an older child, little ones still get to experience their own kind of wonder.
We also take time to pray together as a family. Everyone gets a chance to pray, and we just enjoy being together in the candlelight. It feels different from our usual dinners at home (in the best way). You don’t have to travel or plan something elaborate to create a meaningful memory. This simple shift in atmosphere turns an ordinary evening into something your kids will remember.
When it comes to the food, do whatever works for your family. The Clarkson family, where I originally learned about this tradition, does a fruit plate and soup. You can go that route, or you can make a board of your kids’ favorite foods and your own favorite treats. I still haven’t decided exactly what I’m doing this year, but I’ll probably choose things that feel like little seasonal treats for the boys, plus a few special things Adam and I really love. Sometimes it ends up being a mix of “fancy” items alongside kid favorites like Annie’s fruit snacks—which is why I joke that it’s a charcuterie board, but also not really.
This quickly became one of our favorite Christmas memories and a tradition we plan to continue as our kids grow. The food might change, but the candlelight and the Christmas story remain at the heart of it. And Colin has already been talking about how excited he is for this year’s Shepherd’s Supper.
We now do a similar tradition for Easter that we call the Lord’s Supper. It’s the same idea with a spring twist, different foods, and a focus on the Easter story. It has already become another meaningful tradition for our family.
Read more: Stay Organized, Keep it Simple, and Make It FUN — How to Plan for Christmas to Avoid the Overwhelm
Tradition #2: Wandering Wisemen
The second tradition we love, especially for younger kids, is something we call Wandering Wisemen.
In the Christmas story, the wise men followed the star of Bethlehem in search of Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I love this tradition because it creates daily opportunities to talk about that part of the story. Every morning, it opens the door to conversations about Jesus’ birth, His life, and really any part of His story you want to explore. It’s hard to fully explain without doing it yourself, but once you try it, you’ll see how naturally it sparks meaningful moments.
To do this, you’ll need a nativity set (any nativity set). A friend recently texted me asking how we do Wandering Wisemen because she wanted to start it with her kids. And she mentioned that there’s now an actual product called Wandering Wisemen. I had no idea! We started doing this years ago after I stumbled across a blog post while looking for an alternative to Elf on the Shelf. That’s where I got the name.
You absolutely do not need a special product or anything expensive to do this tradition. Use whatever nativity you already have.
We use the same old-school nativity set I grew up with as a little girl. The figurines are breakable—some are even chipped or cracked at this point—but I love the tradition of using it. It has Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, animals, and the wise men. Just a classic nativity.
We set it up in a central spot in the house where the kids can play with it as much as they want. The only pieces that don’t go out right away are baby Jesus and the three wise men. Baby Jesus doesn’t appear until Christmas morning, and the wise men begin their “journey” around the house starting in early December.
Right now, as I’m recording this, baby Jesus and the wise men are tucked away on a high shelf in my office closet—waiting for their moment.
When We Start
We usually begin around December 1st. You can start earlier, but in my experience, stretching the activity too long can wear everyone out. I think a few weeks before Christmas is the perfect length.
Each morning, the wise men move to a new location in the house for the kids to find. You can keep the three of them together or separate them—whatever works best for your kids’ ages and personalities.
When we first started this with Colin, he was around two. At that age, he wasn’t “hunting” for them, he just wanted to walk over and see where they were. So we placed them somewhere obvious and kept it simple.
Last year, when he was three, we turned it into more of a search. We hid them a little better and gave hints. This year, since Colin is really into “I Spy,” we may separate the wise men on some days so he has a challenge while Ethan (who is about to turn two) gets an easier spot. Sofia, being a baby, won’t participate yet, but she’ll eventually join in.
The Journey to Christmas Morning
Throughout December, the wise men get “closer” to the nativity scene. Then on Christmas morning, the kids wake up to find the wise men finally in the stable—and baby Jesus in the manger for the first time. It creates such a sweet moment and another chance to revisit the Christmas story.
Making It Fun (and Realistic)
Some mornings, the kids are excited about finding the wise men; other mornings, they’re less enthusiastic (and that’s totally fine). You can place the wise men anywhere:
- At the breakfast table
- In the fridge
- Sitting above the microwave
- In front of the TV
- “Reading” a book
If this sounds a little like Elf on the Shelf, that’s because the rhythm is similar (the characters move at night, the kids find them in the morning). But this takes the same sense of fun and ties it directly to your faith and the Christmas story.
And if doing it every day feels exhausting, shorten the timeframe. Start two weeks before Christmas, or even just the week of. It’s completely flexible.
For our family, Wandering Wisemen has become our alternative to Elf on the Shelf. Maybe we’ll add the elf later if the kids ask someday—especially as school influences what they hear—but for now, the wise men are plenty of magic for all of us.
A New Tradition We’re Adding This Year: Daily Advent Reading
There’s one more thing we’re trying for the first time this year. I’ve attempted versions of this before, but the boys were always a little too young for it to stick. This year, we’re going to do a daily Advent reading as a family using The Jesus Storybook Bible.
The team behind the book actually has a free advent reading plan online with a story assigned to each day from December 1st through Christmas. I’ve already printed the list and pinned it in our kitchen. I’m planning to buy Sofia her own copy of the Storybook Bible so she’ll have one to follow along with someday, and the boys will each have theirs too. It’s turned into a whole thing… everyone wants their own book during reading time!
We’ll aim to read the day’s story together at breakfast or dinner, depending on our schedule. I’m realistic, we’ll probably miss days here and there, and that’s completely fine. I might even start in late November just to give us a little buffer.
As much as this is for the kids, it’s also for me and Adam. If you’ve listened to past Christmas episodes, you know I love doing an Advent devotional every year. Some years I keep up with it more easily than others. This year, with a newborn and no real morning routine of my own, I’ll probably choose a short personal devotional. But I love that the family readings give all of us a chance to pause together and talk about Scripture in a simple, meaningful way.
And if you decide to try Shepherd’s Supper, Wandering Wisemen, or the Advent readings, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. Send me a message, DM me on Instagram, or email me—I always enjoy hearing how your families make these traditions your own.
Links Mentioned:
Other Christmas episodes to tune in to over the holiday season:
- Episode 297: How to Plan for Christmas to Avoid the Overwhelm
- Episode 296: 7 Christmas Tradition Ideas for the Whole Family (+ How to Bring Jesus into Your Home for the Holiday/Advent Season)
- Episode 191: How to Actually REST This Christmas Season as a Business Owner (Taking Time Off, Holiday Bucketlists, and Business Dreaming)
Other links mentioned:
- Sally Clarkson’s Blog on her annual Shepherd's Meal
- Jesus Storybook Bible Advent signup
- Jesus Storybook Bible
- Wandering Wisemen blog
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