Advent Day 3: Christmas in Color

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio’s Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message on the Christmas Message Machine!

Summer carefully placed the last glittering ornament on the Christmas tree and grinned. “Cameron, it’s ready!”

Summer’s older brother started the countdown, then plugged in the lights. “It looks awesome!” Cameron exclaimed. “I like how we pick a color theme every year. Red and gold is the best theme yet!”

“Mom, I’ve been wondering—why do we decorate with certain colors at Christmas? You see some colors way more than others, like red, green, and gold,” Summer mused.

“That’s a great question, sweetie! Let’s look it up.” Mom took out her phone. “What do you think red stands for?”

“The blood of Jesus?” Summer guessed.

“You got it!” Mom said. “He became human and then died on the cross for our sins.”

“That probably means the color white stands for purity,” Cameron stated.

“Yes, and for peace as well,” Mom said. “We use green for evergreen trees, which symbolize the eternal life Jesus gives us when we trust in Him alone to save us from our sin. The color gold represents one of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus, which reminds us that He is King. And blue was worn by royalty back in Jesus’ time, so it’s traditionally used at Christmas in honor of Jesus’ mother, Mary, to show her importance.”

“Mom, I’m wearing blue! I must be royal!” Cameron said.

“You wish!” Summer threw some tinsel on her brother’s head.

Mom laughed. “Actually, you are royal, Cameron—and you too, Summer. Blue also represents the sky and reminds us of heaven and how Jesus will return one day and reign over the whole earth—and Christians will reign with Him.”

Summer glanced at the manger scene. “I’m so thankful that God sent Jesus as a little baby in a manger to grow up and save us.”

“And I’m thankful that I’m royal!” Cameron shaped the tinsel on his head into a crown. “Now, please bring me some cookies, royal subjects!”

How about you?

Do you enjoy decorating for Christmas? Did you know that many of the colors and objects we use have meaning? They remind us of the true meaning of Christmas—that Jesus became human, died and rose again to save us from sin, and will one day make everything new. This Christmas, celebrate the birth of our Savior and all He’s done for us.

Key Thought

Celebrate Jesus at Christmas

Key Verse

“A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 NIV

Further Reading

Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:1-20