Every year, around Christmas time, many Muslims living in the West face the same problem. We wonder what to do about the occasions, what to tell our children about Christmas and Jesus (peace be upon him) and why are we different?
What are you going to say this year when your children ask you, “Why don’t Muslims celebrate Christmas?!” Your children are the product of a hybrid culture, a potpourri of religious experiences. What will you tell them about Christmas holidays?
Etiquette is crucial
It is important that Muslim parents teach their children not to insult other people in general. It is essential to point out the fact that Muslims hate whatever Allah did not permit. There is always room for people of other faiths to learn and grow. We do not give up on them. They have their own customs that we love to make them change it and we have ours that we believe its the right path.
Teach your children to stay away from mocking and insulting other people in general. Almighty Allah says, “Do not insult the non believers when that makes them insult the religion of God”
Tell Your Kids the Story of Jesus
Inform your child that Christmas comes from the word Christ used to call Jesus Christ. The “Mass” is a religious ceremony. Christ means “the Messiah” or “messenger” of God. It is an honorific title.
Jesus is known in Arabic as Isa (peace be upon him) as mentioned in the Qur’an. Muslims have an utmost respect for Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Every time Muslims mention the name Jesus, they add “Peace be upon him. In the Qur’an, the name of Prophet Jesus is mentioned five times more than the name of Prophet Muhammad.
Impress upon your child that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is important in both Islam and Christianity. However, there are major differences in what we believe happened to him.
Read the passages in the Qur’an pertaining to Jesus (peace be upon him) and his mother, Mary. Go to the third chapter of the Qur’an called “The Family Of Imran” and also go to the nineteenth chapter of the Qur’an called “Maryam.”
The Qur’an, confirms that Jesus (peace be upon him) was born from a mother but not from a father. It confirms that Jesus’ birth was miraculous.
The Family Differences
However, Muslims believe Jesus (peace be upon him) was able to speak when he was a baby in order to defend his mother against the neighbors’ accusations and in order to preach. On the other hand, Christians believe Jesus started preaching when he was thirty years old.
Because of his miraculous birth, Christians believe Jesus is the son of God ( and it is wrong belief). Muslims believe he (peace be upon him) is only a prophet.
Jesus’s Miracles
Both Christians and Muslims believe Jesus (peace be upon him) performed many miracles during his life. The Qur’an says that he (peace be upon him) healed the blind and the leper and was also able to raise the dead with the help of Allah.
Christians believe their sins have been excused by Jesus being martyred on the cross. (Bible Romans 4:25). Muslims think a person who looked alike Jesus (peace be upon him) was put on the cross. Muslims also believe nobody can be responsible for another person’s sins.
Celebrate Our Muslim Identity
One way to help children to be proud of being Muslim is to let them know there is nothing wrong to be different.
Christmas sets makes some kids feel left out; but when parents educate them about the root of this religious occasion and tell them more about the message of Prophet Jesus, they will become aware of their faith, and hence their identity.
Teaching them about Jesus (peace be upon him) at an early age and letting them know the difference between Christians’ and Muslims’ beliefs, will empower them with the ability to tell people about these differences with confidence.
Encourage your children to say proudly, “I’m a Muslim.”
Finally, let your child know that a growing number of practicing Christians do not really celebrate Christmas.
A poll in UK showed that “51% agreed with the statement “The birth of Jesus is irrelevant to my Christmas” whilst 46% disagreed with the statement.”
And “40% said Christmas is a good excuse for taking time off and doesn’t really have any meaning today but 34 % disagreed with this.”(Source: Christmas facts and quotes, Evangelical Alliance.)
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