Hay In The Manger: A Christ-Centered Christmas Tradition

Here’s a Christ-centered Christmas tradition that will help your family focus on service throughout the Christmas season! The goal is to make the manger soft for Jesus by Christmas morning. 

HAY IN THE MANGER TRADITION 

Do you need a simple Christmas tradition that will help your children focus on serving others as opposed to just thinking about what they should put on their wish list? 

This fun Hay in a Manger Christmas tradition is a great way to keep Christ and service at the center of your holiday season. Better yet, it’s so simple! 

Related: 21 Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions

KINDNESS AND GOODNESS IS THE GOAL OF THIS TRADITION

The goal of this Christ-centered Christmas tradition is to have the manger nice and comfy by the time Christmas morning comes. 

That way, Jesus will have a soft bed on Christmas morning.

When a kind deed is done or something nice is done without asking, you get to put a piece of straw in the manger.

On the contrary, if a mean word is said or children are mean to each other, a piece of straw gets removed.

I absolutely loved this Christmas tradition when I was a little girl. I still remember the wooden manger set out in our living room and the small can of straw we would use to fill the manger with when we did something kind for someone else.

WHAT TO DO ON CHRISTMAS MORNING 

Before any gifts are opened on Christmas morning, place Jesus in the manger. Hopefully it’s super soft from all the kind things that have been done.

WHERE TO GET A KIND DEEDS/GIVING MANGER: 

• The Giving Manger on Amazon 
• You can make your own out wood. Here’s an idea.
• You could pick up an old wooden box and doll at a thrift store
• You can order a tiny one here.

Enjoy this fun Christ-centered Christmas tradition!