Christmas morning in America often looks like pajamas, coffee, and wrapping paper scattered across the living room floor. But have you ever wondered how families in other parts of the world celebrate the birth of Jesus?
The beauty of the global Church is that while we all worship the same Savior, we do it in wonderfully diverse ways. And when we share these traditions with the kids in our ministries, we’re doing more than teaching about culture—we’re opening their eyes to the global body of Christ and planting seeds for a heart for missions.
Let’s take a look at how different cultures around the world honor Jesus’ birth—and how you can bring these traditions into your kids ministry this Christmas season.
Las Posadas in Mexico
In Mexico and parts of Latin America, Christmas celebrations begin on December 16th with Las Posadas—a nine-day reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to find shelter in Bethlehem. Each night, families and neighbors gather for a procession, going door to door asking for room at the inn. After being “turned away” from several homes, the group is finally welcomed in for prayer, songs, and celebration.
Children love breaking the piñata at the end of each evening, but the heart of Las Posadas is reflection. It’s a reminder that there was no room for Jesus then—and we must make room for Him in our hearts now.
Bring it to your ministry: Lead your kids on a Las Posadas procession through your church hallways. Teach them simple Spanish phrases like “¿Hay posada?” (Is there room?) and help them understand that kids in Mexico are celebrating the same Jesus they are—just in a different way.
Christingle in the United Kingdom
In the UK, many churches hold Christingle services during Advent. Children receive a Christingle—an orange wrapped with a red ribbon and topped with a candle. The orange represents the world, the red ribbon symbolizes Jesus’ blood, and the candle represents Christ as the light of the world. Dried fruits and sweets are skewered into the orange, representing God’s blessings and the four seasons.
It’s a simple, hands-on way to help kids understand the meaning of Jesus’ birth while engaging all their senses. What a beautiful picture of how Christ brings light into a dark world!
Bring it to your ministry: Create Christingles with your kids (use battery-operated tea lights for safety). As they build their own, talk about how children in the UK are learning the same truth: Jesus is the light of the world. Show them on a map where the UK is and remind them that kids there love Jesus too.
Ganna in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, Christmas—called Ganna—is celebrated on January 7th according to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar. Families attend church services that can last up to three hours, often starting before dawn. Worshipers dress in traditional white robes called shemmas and participate in candlelit processions.
After the service, families gather for a feast that breaks a 43-day fast leading up to Christmas. The focus is deeply spiritual, emphasizing sacrifice, worship, and community. It’s a powerful reminder that Christmas is first and foremost about worshiping Jesus.
Bring it to your ministry: Teach kids about the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition and show them Ethiopia on a map. Talk about how families there prepare their hearts through fasting and worship. Ask: “What are some ways we can prepare our hearts for Jesus this Christmas?” Help kids see that worship looks different around the world, but it’s all directed to the same God.
Parol Lanterns in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Christmas season begins in September and is marked by the display of parol—star-shaped lanterns made of bamboo and colorful paper. These lanterns symbolize the Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men to Jesus.
Families hang parol outside their homes and churches, and entire communities host lantern festivals. The lights shine brightly in the night, reminding everyone that Jesus is the light who came into the world. It’s a visible, joyful declaration of faith that draws people together.
Bring it to your ministry: Make parol lanterns as a craft project. Use simple materials like construction paper, straws, and tissue paper. As kids create their stars, talk about how children in the Philippines are celebrating Jesus with the same symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Hang the finished lanterns in your kids ministry space or send them home as a reminder that we’re all part of God’s global family.
Julbord in Sweden
In Sweden, families celebrate with a Julbord—a Christmas buffet featuring traditional foods like herring, meatballs, and ham. But the celebrations begin on December 13th with St. Lucia Day, where children dress in white robes and process through churches and homes singing carols. The oldest daughter often wears a crown of candles, representing the light of Christ.
Swedish Christmas traditions emphasize light breaking into the darkness of winter, which is especially meaningful in a country where winter days are short and nights are long. It’s a beautiful reminder that Jesus came as light into our darkest seasons.
Bring it to your ministry: Host a St. Lucia Day procession where kids dress in white and carry battery-operated candles while singing Christmas carols. Talk about how children in Sweden celebrate Jesus as the light who came into a dark world. Point out Sweden on a map and help kids see that even in places where it’s dark and cold most of the day, people are still celebrating the light of Christ.
Building a Heart for Missions
When we expose kids to how other cultures celebrate Jesus, we’re showing them something powerful: the Church is bigger than our building, our city, or even our country. We’re all connected by the same Savior.
This kind of exposure builds empathy, curiosity, and a heart for missions. Kids begin to see that God is at work all over the world—and that they can be part of His global story. They learn that people who look different, speak different languages, and celebrate differently are still their brothers and sisters in Christ.
As you incorporate these traditions into your kids ministry, take time to pray for kids around the world. Pull out a map or globe and let kids point to the countries you’re learning about. Sing a familiar Christmas song and then teach them a version in another language. Help them see that when they worship Jesus, they’re joining a global chorus of voices praising the same King.
We Are All Connected
Each of these traditions reflects a unique cultural expression of the same truth: Jesus came to bring light, hope, and salvation to the world. Whether through processions, lanterns, feasts, or reenactments, families around the globe are teaching their children the story of Jesus’ birth in ways that are meaningful and memorable.
And when we share these traditions with the kids in our ministries, we’re helping them see that they’re part of something so much bigger than themselves. We’re planting seeds for a lifetime of seeing, loving, and serving the global Church.
The beauty of the body of Christ is that we all belong to one family—united by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This Christmas, let’s celebrate not only our own traditions but also the richness and diversity of how God’s people around the world honor His Son.
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