While Christmas is in full swing at our house (and has been since the first week of November) we are working hard to stay focused on what the real meaning of this season is all about. Working even harder to keep our sweet girl focused on what this season is all about amidst the blast of catalogs that we have received IN HER NAME!? and the overloaded toy aisles at Target that seem to be screaming her name as we shop....indeed staying focused on Jesus and the real GIFT that came in the form of a Baby to rescue us from the bondage of sin is difficult.
However, I am determined that we will NOT let the world win. We so desire Lucy's heart and eventually the little one's too to be so overwhelmed with this GIFT that the temptation of things will be easy to resist because she learns as she grows that those temporary things will grow old and boring and will most definitely be sold for .99 at our next garage sale or given away to the Goodwill.
So... here's our plan:
1. Each day we add an ornament to our advent Jesse Tree while reading through the bible chronologically as we anticipate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
2. Talk alot about giving gifts to Jesus by giving to "the least of these" both here and around the world,
put that into action with her by our side
3. For Christmas morning our girls will receive only 3 gifts this year..just like Jesus
4. Celebrate with a Happy Birthday Jesus Party at our church. In the past we have had a Happy Birthday Jesus Party in our home.
6. Go to the Singing Christmas Tree
7. Go to Alpine Village at Trinity Baptist
8.Go to Germantown Baptist's Live Nativity
9. Shop together for gifts to give boys and girls who won't receive gifts otherwise (We are giving Jesus Storybook Bibles to be intentional)
10. Making lots of crafts and goodies to give to our family, neighbors, friends, mailmen, garbage men, etc. with a note of blessing and scripture.
Most of these are basic easy things to do yet filled with meaningful messages. We are working on many of these things now and have already had lots of sweet and meaningful conversation. Not conversation filled with what she will be getting from Santa or what she wants for Christmas but rather more focused on Jesus and the reason He came and what He commanded us to do as He left this earth.
To go, to tell, to give, to love, to meet needs, to lay down our lives.
Dear Jesus, channel our hearts and minds to be desperate for you, to be a blessing to you, not to prostitute our hearts or our affections to things that are not worthy. Let us look to nothing else to satisfy or fill us but You. Remind us that Christ alone makes Christmas. Not gifts or Santa, or an elf or even the good things we might preoccupy our time with that brings you no glory or honor.
Here is more info on our Jesse Tree:
Each day Lucy opens a bag that contains our next bible story scripture, a theme, an ornament, a song, a prayer, a snack, and a craft or activity.
Day One looked like this for us:
Creation-
- Read/ discuss Genesis 1:1-31
- lead her in discussion to think of a name that describes God from our story. This day it was Creator.
- Make a globe out of torn paper, a foam ball, and Mod Podge as an ornament.
- Sing He's Got The Whole World in His Hands
- Make our own creation/snack: Snow Trash
- Pray and thank God for all He created
**a free Jesse Tree book for preschoolers that includes an ornament, scripture, a song, a verse, and an activity to do each day
**another Jesse Tree book that includes crafts to make each day with your bible story
**Jesse Tree ornaments and powertful devotional for older elementary age children
**ideas to make your own ornaments and excellent ideas for other ways to keep Jesus as the focus
**fun activities to do together as a family
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/11/29/recycled-tin-can-advent-calendar-50-family-activities/
What are some meaningful Christmas traditions in your home? I would love to know! Enjoy and Merrry Christmas!!
What are some meaningful Christmas traditions in your home? I would love to know! Enjoy and Merrry Christmas!!
