Since it was released a few years ago, many parents have found What God Wants for Christmas to be a fun and simple way to explain the meaning of Christmas. In addition, it gives them the opportunity to explain the gospel. Here are three first-person stories of how people have used this unique resource.

Terri Clark: Christmas in Uganda

Laura Ostermayer: My Favorite Christmas Gift

As Christmas 2005 approached, I longed for a creative, easy way to bring Christ to the forefront of our holiday activities. You see, our family had moved into our new home at the end of October, and our fourth child arrived one month early, on November 22. I was looking for something simple that required little preparation on my part … something that would appeal to the different ages of our children.

After I brought the matter before the Lord, He answered my prayer in a very specific way. Out of the blue, someone sent us What God Wants for Christmas. It was exactly what our family needed to prepare for Christmas, and I was thrilled and amazed at God’s goodness.

Shannon understood the gospel for the first time through What God Wants for Christmas.

By December 24, we had set up the Nativity, opened six of the seven gift boxes in the resource and read through the narrative that goes with these boxes. When we gathered as a family early last Christmas morning, we opened the final box. One by one, without giving away the secret, each of us took a turn peeking into it. Several of us were not surprised when we discovered a mirror, signifying that what God wants for Christmas is "you." But Shannon, who was five years old at the time, was clueless. When she peeked in she said, “I don’t get it.”

I had been praying for Shannon’s salvation and hoping this activity would plant a seed in her heart. “Look again!” we said. As we waited expectantly, her confused look gradually gave way to a look of realization. “Oh!” she said, “I get it!” Although I wasn’t sure that she really did understand, I knew that the devotional that describes each box would clear up any confusion. So we read from the book that came with the Nativity set:

Somewhere during the reading Shannon stopped us, hands over her eyes, and said: “Wait a minute!” Then she ran from our bedroom, across the hall, to her room. I could tell she was upset.

The Ostermayer family

When Shannon returned, she was red-eyed. Her spirit had obviously been touched by what she had learned that Christmas morning. J.P. and I decided to go ahead with our prayer time and then open presents. “But wait!” Shannon interrupted, “How do we give God His gift?” I thought: Does she want to give her life to God?

My heart skipped a beat as I dared to hope. Upon further discussion, it came to light that indeed she did want to give her life to Christ. In the back of the book is a simple, childlike gospel presentation written for parents like me. After J.P. and I read through the simple explanation and verses, Shannon again confirmed that she wanted to be adopted into God's family. Unsure of her ability to understand at such a young age, J.P. questioned her further. She really had figured out what God wanted for Christmas and was ready to give her gift. We knelt together as a family and Shannon prayed and indicated her desire to receive Christ as her Savior.

If you would ask me, “What's your favorite Christmas gift ever?” I would have to say that it's one that I didn’t even give or receive. It’s the gift Shannon gave to God at Christmas.

Terri Clark: Christmas in Uganda

A few weeks before Christmas last year, my husband, Harvey, and I were preparing to go to Uganda for a missions trip. Our 6-year-old grandson, Cory, was visiting Harvey and me, and I wanted to teach him more about the real meaning of Christmas. So I began reading him the poem from What God Wants For Christmas and had him open the accompanying boxes. Cory’s enthusiasm for the story grew as he anticipated opening the seventh box. After seeing his excitement, I knew What God Wants for Christmas could be an entertaining and powerful way to present the gospel in Africa.

Terri Clark and her grandson, Cory.

I called a good friend in Uganda, and told her about this creative resource that I would be bringing to Uganda. We decided to construct one large box for the stage and wrap it up like a gift. We talked about having the children dress up as the angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, the shepherd, etc., and emerge from the box as the story was told. We chatted about the other children singing a song from the CD for the resource.

As the weeks went by, the Ugandan children’s excitement built. They created colorful costumes and a dance to go along with the music. By the time Harvey and I arrived, everyone knew their parts and could hardly wait to practice.

On a Sunday morning last December, the little African church was alive with excitement and bursting at the seams. The children invited everyone they knew to come. Many of those attending practiced witchcraft and several people were Muslim. But like family anywhere, they came to support their children. In addition to family and friends, city council members came to meet the visitors from the United States.

Children dancing during the Christmas program.

As I narrated the story and the boys and girls delivered their lines, the true meaning of Christmas came to life. Adults and children sat on the edge of their seats waiting to see the surprise in the final box. When it was opened, a large mirror was held up for everyone to see their reflections as God’s message of love was shared.

The captivated audience was touched by the fact that this Christian God valued each one of them so much that He sacrificed His only Son to pay for their sins. They were astonished to hear that Jesus was not defeated by death, but instead was resurrected three days later so that any who believed in Him might have eternal life. When the invitation to receive salvation was offered, several responded.

And for weeks after Harvey and I returned to the U.S., we received reports of curious family members in Uganda who continued to ask questions about Jesus.

Terri Clark is an international speaker, author, and missionary. She and her husband reside in Pearcy, Arkansas. For more information about Terri Clark Ministries, Inc. and the Uganda Mission, visit www.terriclarkministries.org.

Julie Biggs: Damian asked, “Mommy, are you my star? Will you lead me to Jesus?”

Like most Christian parents, it had been my fervent prayer for my son to come to know Christ as his personal Savior. I tried many different ways to explain salvation to Damian, but he could never comprehend it because of his autism.

Damian lives in a world of tangible things, of thoughts expressed in pictures—a world that is very black and white. Abstract concepts like salvation or sin are nearly impossible for him to comprehend. I truly felt at a loss.

Damian loved to play with What God Wants for Christmas.

Two years ago I purchased What God Wants for Christmas because I had heard about the simple way it presents the Christmas story. I had hoped that it might help Damian understand the real meaning of Christmas. Although he loved to play with it, he didn’t really understand the message.

As Christmas approached last year, Damian asked if he could set up the What God Wants for Christmas Nativity and be in charge of reading the stories that go along with it. When we put up our Christmas decorations early last December, we pulled each character out of the box and read the poem together. Finally, we got to box number seven. After Damian opened it, he just stared at the tiny mirror at the bottom of the box. “Why does God want me for Christmas?” he asked.

I told him that God had created him as a very special person and loved him so much that He wanted to spend eternity with him. “Do you want to give God a special gift for Christmas this year?” I asked.

“I think so,” he replied. “But I want to wait until Christmas Eve.”

When we attended Christmas Eve services at our church, our pastor talked about the star that had led the wise men to Jesus. “Now some of you have been brought here tonight by someone in your life. Perhaps that person is your star—the person who will lead you to Jesus.”

Damian looked up at me. “Mommy, are you my star? Will you lead me to Jesus?”

I think my heart shattered into a million pieces. I nodded and held him close.When we got home, he asked, “Can we read the What God Wants for Christmas story again?”

Damian accepted Christ as his Savior on Christmas Eve.

We did, and when we finished I asked if he wanted to receive Christ. Damian nodded. “Can I do it now?” he asked. “I have to keep my eyes open so I can read it—is that okay?”

I smiled and told him that God wouldn’t mind. We both bowed our heads and my beautiful little boy accepted Christ.

I set out to teach my child a lesson, but instead God used my child to teach me. In 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Paul said, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” So often I try to interpret this verse as, “The one who calls you is faithful but you will do it.”

As parents, we can only do so much in our children’s lives. We feed them and clothe them and teach them the best we can. But only God has the power to change their hearts. It’s our role, as hard as it is to accept, to pray for our children and trust Him to do the work.

Because I didn’t push, God brought Damian to Himself in a more beautiful way than I could have ever planned or manipulated. I’m so grateful that I stepped out of the way and let the Good Shepherd lead another lost lamb back to His flock.