“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11

Prayer: Lord, fill my house with your love this holiday season. Help my kids to know that the joy and hope of this season are because of you and your unfailing, unmoving and amazing love. Amen.

Readings and Bible Stories:
Luke 2: 1-21 (The Birth of Jesus)
Psalm 136

Crafts & Activities:
- Celebrate Advent. Light candles every Sunday night in December and read from the scripture, sing songs and pray that God’s love would truly shine this Christmas.
- Spread Christmas cheer! Make a pot of spiced cider or Chai tea and then bring a thermos to your neighbors and share it under the Christmas tree.
- Make and decorate heart-shaped cookies. While you’re decorating, talk about all the ways God shows his love for us.
- Call distant relatives—aunts, uncles, grandparents—and let them know how much you love them.

Discussion Questions:
- How do we know God loves us this season?
- How can we show our love to others during the holidays?
- What is the best gift you’ve ever received? When you got it, did you feel loved?

Christmas Carols:
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Silent Night:
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Holiday Traditions:  Knowledge

My kids know the basics of the Christmas story—that Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room at the inn, that the wise men came, that the angels sang.  But, if I’m being honest, I feel like it’s become almost a story to them—and they haven’t quite grasped the amazing miracle that happened when the Son of God came down as a mere baby to save the entire world.   So, one of the things we do is try to have discussions that lead our children to draw conclusions about God on their own—to help them deepen their faith and also to help them deepen their knowledge of God.

This week:  Knowledge

Scriptural Foundation:  Luke 8:10

He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you…”

Holiday Book Bag

One of our holiday traditions is a holiday book bag.  Over the last few years, I’ve collected as many Christian Christmas children’s books as I can find.  I go to bookstores the day after Christmas, check for sales on Amazon, etc.  My collection has about 35 in it now, although you can start this tradition with just a few books (even some from the library!).  What I do is wrap the books and put them in a big red bag.  Each evening, my kids get to pick one book, unwrap it and then we read it together and talk about one thing we learned by reading the book.   These discussions have led to some deep and insightful conversations—such as why God would let his son leave heaven or why God didn’t send his son to a nicer place—conversations that lead to a deeper knowledge and understanding of God.
Question:  How do you help your kids obtain knowledge?



Holiday Traditions:  Gratefulness

We have so much!  So, yesterday, when I had my kids sit down and draw pictures of all the things they are thankful for, I wasn’t surprised when their lists went on and on and on.    Mine:  My kids.  My family.  My home.  Health (restored after a tough year).  The fact that I once again love coffee after being unable to drink it without throwing up when I was pregnant.   And, the list goes on and on and on…

But, I started thinking:  What about Jesus?  Yes, we have wonderful family and friends and a home and food and toys and clothes and everything we need… but isn’t the ultimate gift we have Jesus himself?  How can I teach my kids to be thankful for Jesus?

This week:  Gratefulness

Scriptural Foundation:  Psalm 95

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

Gratefulness Day

This week, we’re having Gratefulness Day on Wednesday, where we’re going to focus on one of the reasons we’re grateful for Jesus.  He chose us.  He saved us.  He blesses us.  He loves us.

Here are a few of the stories we’re reading:

Jesus calms the storm (Matthew

Parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25)

Here are a few of the songs we’re singing:

- I love you Lord

-  Jesus I love you

What are your holiday traditions? Do you gather around the game every Thanksgiving and cheer for your favorite team? Hike into the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree? Sip hot cocoa while you decorate it? Make your great-grandma’s almost world-famous gingerbread?

Traditions are great! I treasure each and every one that my family has—from our day-after-Thanksgiving movie breakfast to singing carols while my mom plays the piano on Christmas Eve. But, sometimes, I wonder if while I’m working so hard to create a festive holiday spirit, I’m forgetting that the spirit of the holidays is Christ—and that as a parent, I need to work to infuse everything we do, say or celebrate with His amazing love.

So, this year, I have a challenge for you: Infuse Christ into your holiday traditions. Not simply by talking about Jesus or telling your kids that He is the reason for the season, but by focusing on the characteristics of Christ in everything you do. So, from now until Christmas, I’m going to explore on godly characteristic—gratefulness, love, joy, peace, faithfulness—on my blog each week and share with you some ideas on how you can get your kids thinking about these godly characteristics as they enjoy the holiday season.

This week: Joyfulness
Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Making Joylights

Today, we made joylights.

I got the idea off of Pinterest so it’s not my own, but we made a little twist in the project. Today, we talked about how Christ’s light is our joy… and how everytime we see our joylights sparkling, we can remember Christ’s love.

Here’s how we did it:

1. Buy 6 glass jars (any size). We used tealight holders.
2. Use a foam paintbrush to coat the jars in Mod Podge.
3. Roll the coated jars in Epsom salts.
4. Dry 1 hour, then repeat.
5. Drop tealights or other candles in the jars and light them.
6. Talk about how Christ’s love sparkles and shines during the holiday season… and light your joylights often to remind your children of the joy we can get from Christ.

Enjoy!