by Patricia Huey
Balancing Homeschooling and the Holidays
December is here, and we’re all challenged to make decisions. In the earlier years of my homeschooling, I stuck to my scheduled lesson plans because I was afraid my kids would get behind academically. I quickly learned that this approach robbed them of the natural joy the Christmas season brings. I wanted them to love the Season and its meaning, but I also wanted them to meet their academic goals.
I put academic work on hold the following year and enjoyed the holidays. After all, kids need to learn from all walks of life, not just academics, right? So, we watched videos, made cookies, decorated the tree, and went to a play or concert, not to mention the special events at our church. We loved it!
When January rolled around, though, it was challenging to get back into academics. We were definitely out of our routine! I had to find the best way to homeschool and enjoy the holidays, focusing on the Advent—the first coming of Jesus. How could I make that work without losing our ability to refocus come January?
I had three options:
- Toss my lesson plans and focus exclusively on the holidays
- Stick to my lesson plans and take a break before Christmas
- Be flexible with my lesson plans and incorporate Christmas traditions
I decided on option 3 to better engage the kids in the spirit of the season. With that decision made, I reevaluated my goals. I knew I didn’t want to feel burned out midway through our homeschooling year, so I decided to focus on math, reading, and writing instead of our standard list of academic subjects. I also canceled a few commitments that didn’t fit the Season.
I wanted the kids to focus on the Advent and the traditions associated with it, which could also be a learning experience. Traditions help us feel grounded and connected, create memories, and form close bonds. Many traditions are handed down from generation to generation. What better place to enjoy Christmas traditions than in a homeschool setting?
The Jesse Tree Tradition
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 (NKJV)
I talked to a friend about homeschooling through the holidays. I explained that I was looking for creative and engaging ways to help the children embrace the season with joy, but most of all, I wanted them to understand the true meaning of Christmas.
She told me about her Christmas tradition of a Jesse Tree. During this twenty-four-day project, her children learned about Jesus’s lineage. Her family looked forward to this tradition, which deepened as her children grew older and matured academically and spiritually.
My friend’s Jesse Tree seemed an excellent way to help my homeschoolers understand the Advent while decorating a Christmas tree!
What is a Jesse Tree?
Maybe you’ve heard of a Jesse Tree but are unsure about its origins. The Jesse Tree began in medieval Europe and was inspired by the Bible verse from Isaiah 11:1. “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (NKJV). Jesse was the father of King David. That Bible verse from the Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would come from the House of David. Over time, the Jesse Tree appeared in ancient manuscripts, stained glass, and other art forms, reminding us of God’s promise of salvation.
I chose this tradition for my homeschool. First, we discussed our family tree and created a simple one. Next, we read Luke 2:1-20 aloud. We discussed the characters involved in the Nativity—Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, the shepherds, the Angels, and Herod.
I read aloud from the following Jesse Tree resources:
• Jesse Tree Advent Book (Peace Renewed Publishing)
I love this book because it includes Bible verses that remind us that Jesus has been with us since Creation. The verses are illustrated with color sheets, one for each day leading up to Christmas.
• The Jesse Tree Story: A Family Advent Devotional by Grace Claus
This book is an excellent read-aloud with beautiful illustrations.
• www.faithward.org/jesse-tree
The website allows free color sheet downloads illustrating the Jesse Tree Story.
For younger children, I copied off paper ornaments from faithward.org/jesse-tree. The children colored the ornaments, cut them out, and put them on the tree as I read one of twenty-four verses about the coming of Jesus. I encouraged the older kids to decorate their ornaments with illustrations for the verse for the day. Older kids would type the verse and glue it to the ornament. They enjoyed this activity so much that they memorized many of the verses!
Acts of Kindness: A Tradition of Giving
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .” John 3:16 (NKJV)
Most would agree that it’s easy for kids to focus on “What’s in this for me?” I wanted my homeschoolers to focus more on others. During the Christmas season, doesn’t focusing on God’s grace and mercy in sending His Son to earth make sense? We can emphasize that theme by teaching our children to give back. Over the years, we have engaged in many activities to give back to our friends and community and experienced the joy of giving.
Here are a few of our favorites:
• Helping our neighbors or friends with a project
• Making Christmas Cards and cookies for friends and neighbors (turn recipes into math and science lessons)
• Donating to a food bank
• Visiting a local assisted living, caroling, and passing out candy canes
(Be sure to offer sugar-free candy canes, too!)
• Filling Operation Christmas Child boxes
• Donating to the local juvenile detention center
• Making homemade hot cocoa, inviting friends over, and playing games
• Angel Tree: Change the life of a prisoner’s child—Prison Fellowship
Christmas Reading Traditions
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. . .” (NKJV)
Holiday books to read aloud highlight the season and prompt rich family discussions. These Christmas classics are a great tradition year after year.
Listed here are a few favorites:
Picture Books
• The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas
by Jan and Mike Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears learn the value of generosity and gratitude in this picture book
• The Legends of Christmas Treasury: Inspirational Stories of Faith and Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall
This book is a guide for moms who are concerned that their children are losing sight of Jesus in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The author rediscovers traditions such as hanging lights, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree to teach how these traditions relate to Jesus’ birth.
• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
A mysterious candy maker brings a community together
• Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Jane Chapman
The story of Mortimer Mouse, who looks for a new home. He settles in a nativity set.
• Santa, Are You For Real? By Harold Myra
Children will learn that Saint Nicolas really existed. They will see how St. Nick sets an example by focusing on Christ and making him front and center at Christmas.
Chapter Books
• The Promise and the Light by Katy Morgan
This book is a retelling of the Nativity. The first-person accounts are vivid and dramatic.
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
When the rotten Herdman kids show up at church for free food, they take over the Christmas pageant and learn the true meaning of Christmas.
• Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
• Jotham searches for his family, encountering thieves, robbers, and kidnappers. He also encounters the wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until he finds his way to the Savior born in Bethlehem.
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Read this exciting Christmas classic to your children. In it, Scrooge learns from Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past the true meaning of the season.
Christmas Writing Traditions
Writing Prompt Suggestions:
• From the cast of characters in the nativity, write about the one you most identify with. Hint: King Herod was jealous, Mary was willing, Jacob was obedient, the Shepherds rushed to tell people about Jesus’ arrival, the Wise Men gave gifts.
• Write about what Christmas means to you.
• Write about what you imagine the angels discussed among themselves before delivering the Good News to the shepherds.
• Describe the peaceful scene in the stable from the shepherd’s point of view.
• Write about your favorite Christmas carol and why
Christmas Movie Traditions
Movies highlighting the true meaning of Christmas are a great way to stimulate family discussions. Here are a few of our favorites:
• The Nativity Story
This movie accurately accounts for the events leading up to Christ’s birth and gives students insight into the historical setting.
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
When the rotten Herdman kids show up at church for free food, they take over the Christmas pageant and learn the true meaning of Christmas.
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
This classic offers lessons about simple values and the true meaning of Christmas.
• The Star
This children’s movie is an animated retelling of the Nativity story through the journey of Bo, a brave little donkey, and his trusted friends.
• An American Christmas Carol
This adaptation of Dicken’s Christmas Carol takes place in the U.S. during the Depression, depicting Americans’ difficulties at that time.
Academic Activities for Movies:
• For each of the above movies, stimulate discussion by asking who, what, when, why, where, and how
• Have younger kids draw their favorite part of the movie
• Have older kids write a movie review
• Discuss the problem the movie presents. How was it resolved? Ask your children how they would have resolved the problem differently or if they agree with the resolution.
Sharing Traditions
Keeping old traditions and creating new ones builds bridges between generations and creates a sense of belonging. Traditions also develop stability and continuity. Some traditions are set in stone, while others morph and meander over the years to fit the needs of our growing and changing families. For homeschoolers, creating a Jesse Tree helps children understand the Advent of Christ for families during Christmas. Gift-giving and serving others illustrate the gift God has given us through his son Jesus. Reading carefully selected books and enjoying holiday movies creates opportunities for deep family discussion.
This may be the year to start new traditions! Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless!
Patricia (Patty) Huey founded Hill Creek Christian, a program for homeschoolers in Mount Vernon, WA, where she taught and directed for 25 years. Her memoir, A 21st-Century One-Room Schoolhouse, is a testament to the power of faith and the calling to homeschool. Patty is a regular contributor to Grace Publishing’s Short and Sweet series. She is currently writing her second book, Tripp’s Time Travels, which invites the reader into a deeper relationship with God.
