Keeping Christ in Christmas

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Sarah asked this question on her blog: "How are you keeping Christ in Christmas?" And she went on to share how she does exactly that with her little family. One of things that she does with her little girl is each day for the month of December, she reads through this little book:

I was so excited by the idea, and I have wanted to do an Advent of sorts with my Littles for many years now, that I promptly sat down at my computer and bought both the book and some candles as well!

And I will tell you - I love it. Thank you so much, my friend. This book is just about perfect for Jesse's age....maybe a little young for Kaden. But, the discussions that spring up from doing this together as a family every day have been very special and very priceless. It's really a simple little book. Basic, simple little reminders of how - each and every day - we can get ready and wait for Jesus. There's a verse or two, a little prayer, and then a simple Advent activity at the bottom of each page. In the back of the book, there is a little calendar where they can take turns each day flipping the flap and seeing what the hidden picture is. And that's really it. But the talks that we have every day as we read together are precious.

Another thing that we do every year is this:

THIS is my all time - absolutely favorite interactive nativity. It's called "What God Wants for Christmas." It is very kid friendly, and it comes with an amazing little story book that weaves the story of the Nativity and each figure that comes with the set.

Each figure comes wrapped in its own little box that looks like a present. And after the story is told of each person, there's a poem at the end of every page that reads like this:

"What God wants for Christmas? It's - to you - a surprise. In box number seven it is disguised. But - no peeking! Be patient! For this you must wait. It's what you offer Him, and it's really great!"

Then, once the very last figure is placed in the nativity set, they finally get to open box #7. They discover that it's a simple mirror - reflecting their faces back to them.

It is so special, and the kids just love it. Every year, they get SO excited when they see me bring this up out of storage!

The back of the book also gives tons of suggestions for different ways you can mix it up, it tells how to lead a little one to Christ, there are devotional ideas, and also many ideas of how to incorporate kids of all ages into using it and applying it to their hearts and lives.


So, these are two things that we are doing to keep Christ at the heart of all of our celebrating. It is SO easy to get caught up in all of the hustle and bustle, the worries and cares, and focus on so many things other than what the heart of Christmas is truly about!

We are trying to savor. We're trying to slow down. We're baking and cooking things to give away and to share. We're making cards and gifts to give away and not keep for ourselves. And we are trying to see things through the Lord's eyes. May we all get caught up in the wonder and beauty of what Christmas is really and truly about!