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Every year I have the best of intentions. I plan to do an Advent reading and activity each day but then we get 3 days behind on the 4th day and it feels like we’re running on fumes.

Sometimes Christmas zips and the only time I’ve talked about Jesus is when I quickly read a Bible story on Christmas Day! It’s a little discouraging.

But I’ve discovered one simple way to help keep Christ in Christmas in an organic, kid-friend (and schedule-friendly) way!

Watch the video or read the transcript below to find out what it is!

I tried so hard when my kids were little to make their Christmas strictly about Jesus. But alas, the trappings of a North American Christmas are not shed so easily!

We have now settled into a comfortable middle place of setting up a Christmas tree and singing about Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, while still being able to focus on the amazing miracle of the first Christmas.

We love to act out the Bible stories (my favorite is when they insist *I* play the part of Baby Jesus), and I have about 20 Christmas books that tell the story from various perspectives.

But our favorite way is this one…

I believe that one of the best ways to help kids understand concepts like “the true meaning of Christmas” is to use stories. Why lecture a child about “the true meaning of Christmas” when a story will stick in their head for a lifetime?

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger, by Karma Wilson, is hands-down my favorite Christmas story. Ever. It starts with little Mortimer mouse searching for a better place to live than his dark and dreary hole in the wall. He finds a nativity scene set up and decides to move right in, dragging all the little statues away each day so he can sleep on the little bed.

But Mortimer is in for a surprise when he hears the Christmas story and finds out that there was no room for baby Jesus. He feels quite remorseful and gives up his new home to the baby Jesus statue he’s been kicking out of the manger.

Wilson writes, “Mortimer sniffed. Mortimer snuffled. A tear rolled down his furry cheek. “There was no room for you in the inn. But I know where there is room,” he said. (Try reading that without getting a little choked up yourself!)

But then Mortimer is in for a big surprise when his prayer for a new home is answered by something absolutely unbelievable…and hilarious. I won’t tell you what it is because you have to experience the surprise for yourself!

I would recommend this book for everyone because it is so cute and hilarious and meaningful, but probably mostly for ages 3-8.

You can find this book, “Mortimer’s Christmas Manger” on Amazon or at your local library!

If you’re looking for a fun way to bring Christ back into your Christmas, download my 20 simple Christmas bedtime activities.