In a non - religious Christmas story, the element of anticipation is strong. People look forward to Christmas day not for religious reasons but for things like seeing the beautifully decorated city. Reindeer are often part of these stories as they are associated with Santa. Another element could be the exchange of letters to Santa. Children write to Santa asking for toys, and this is a fun tradition that doesn't have religious connotations. Also, the Christmas feast with all the delicious food like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and Christmas pudding is a big part of it, which is more about the celebration and togetherness.
The main elements usually include the birth of Jesus. His mother Mary, who was chosen by God to bear His son. Joseph, Mary's husband - to - be, who played an important role in protecting the family. Angels are also a big part of it, like the angel Gabriel who announced to Mary about Jesus, and the angels who appeared to the shepherds. The humble birthplace in Bethlehem, especially the manger. And the people like the shepherds and the Magi who came to see the newborn Jesus.
The religious Christmas story mainly revolves around Jesus' birth. Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, and she accepted God's will without hesitation. Joseph was a just man and also followed the divine instructions. The fact that Jesus was born in a manger among animals symbolizes his connection to all of creation. The shepherds were out in the fields when the angels announced the good news. They rushed to see the baby Jesus. The Wise Men, on the other hand, came from the East, following a star. Their gifts had different symbolic meanings. Gold represented royalty, frankincense was for divinity, and myrrh was often associated with death, foreshadowing Jesus' future sacrifice.
The birth of Jesus is a key element. As mentioned, Mary's miraculous conception and the journey to Bethlehem are important parts. Also, the humble setting of his birth in a manger.
The story of the Christmas snowman. A little boy builds a snowman on Christmas day. He gives the snowman a scarf, a hat and some coal for eyes. As the day goes on, the snowman seems to come to life in the boy's imagination. They have adventures like sledding down the hill together. It's a simple and fun non - religious Christmas story for kids.
There's a story about a little girl named Lily. At Christmas, her family didn't celebrate it religiously. Instead, they focused on the spirit of giving. Lily found a stray puppy on Christmas Eve. She decided to take it in and care for it. She used her own pocket money to buy food and a little bed for the puppy. Her family supported her, and that Christmas, they all felt the true meaning of love and kindness without any religious undertones.
Acts of kindness. Such as when people share what they have or help others during Christmas. This reflects the teachings of Jesus about love and helping the needy. In many religious Christmas stories, someone does a kind deed which has a positive outcome.
One key element is the religious figure, like Jesus. His birth is the central event in a Christmas story. Another is the setting, such as Bethlehem, which gives a historical and religious context. Also, there are often symbols like the star that guided the wise men. These elements together create a story that is both religiously significant and suitable for adults as it can convey deeper theological concepts.
A story about a little girl who finds a lost reindeer in the city on Christmas. She takes care of it and tries to find its way back to Santa. Along the way, she meets kind people who help her. In the end, the reindeer is reunited with Santa, and she gets a special thank - you gift from him.
One non - religious Christmas story is about a little girl who finds a lost puppy on Christmas Eve. She takes the puppy in, feeds it, and tries to find its owner. But as the night falls and no one claims the puppy, she decides to keep it as her own special Christmas gift. The puppy becomes her best friend, and they have a wonderful Christmas together filled with playing in the snow and sharing treats.
The setting, such as Bethlehem and the temple, is significant. Bethlehem was prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah. The temple was a place of worship and encounter with the divine. In stories, these settings provide the backdrop for the events to unfold. They are places where the miraculous and the religious significance of Christmas are manifested. Also, the prophecies that preceded Jesus' birth are often alluded to in these short stories, showing that his coming was long - awaited and foretold.