Years ago I read a book called Christ Centered Christmas by Emily Freeman, I have loved the book, it's ideas, and have thought lots about how to implement it in our home. And have failed. I mean, I have a very Christ centered Christmas, we have lots of nativities as the main Christmas decorations, by lots I mean at least 30, and I add to them every year, a few of them I love so much I leave them up all year around. And the few non nativity decorations I have we have lessons that we discuss the symbolism behind them, why we have Christmas Trees and Wreaths, Christmas Lights and Candy Canes, etc. I feel like I do a pretty good job of focusing on the real meaning of the season. But none the less, I really like the emphasis that this book put on focusing in on the different Characters of the Christmas story, and what we can learn from each of them.
And then this summer I came across a damaged book sale and found a treasure.
The children's version of the book written by the same author. I LOVE this book. And it makes it so easy to bring this tradition alive for my kids. There are seven characters it discusses. I am really trying hard to simplify this year, so instead of cramming it all in to the week before Christmas, we started seven weeks before Christmas as a Sunday evening devotional.
It has the following parts of the Nativity: The Stable, Joseph, Mary, Angels, Shepherds, Wise men, and Jesus. Each part has a scripture verse, the story retold for that portion of the nativity, a discussion topic, a section that talks about what we can learn from that portion of the Nativity story, as well as an activity to go with it. They have created beautiful printable ornaments that go with each portion.
The have a pdf that you can down load on their website. or they have a link to buy hangable ones as well. This year I printed them and glued them to cardboard circles with strings. We are hanging them on a evergreen garland hung above our living room window. When you are complete with the activity you then add that portion of the nativity to the part. So currently we have a stable with Joseph alone in the stable. The activity
for Joseph was to find some way you could quietly serve those around you. We talked about ways we could serve, the girls decided that they would go visit one of the widows in the neighborhood and play their violin and viola for her. It took them all week to get a chance to go, but they were reminded because the stable stood empty until they completed the task. I have really enjoy this so far.
Tonight is Mary. In the scriptures it talks about how Mary took all these things and pondereth them in her heart. Tonight's activity is to make cookies together as a family and talk about the miracle of Christ and take time to ponder how the Life of Christ has changed our life. I am excited because we will make our favorite Christmas Cookies.
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint
12 candy canes - crushed
1 package of chocolate chips
Cream sugar, eggs and butter together, add vanilla and peppermint, combine with dry ingredients. after well combined add in chocolate chips and crushed candy cane. form into balls, and cook at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.
enjoy with milk!!!!
And then this summer I came across a damaged book sale and found a treasure.
The children's version of the book written by the same author. I LOVE this book. And it makes it so easy to bring this tradition alive for my kids. There are seven characters it discusses. I am really trying hard to simplify this year, so instead of cramming it all in to the week before Christmas, we started seven weeks before Christmas as a Sunday evening devotional.
It has the following parts of the Nativity: The Stable, Joseph, Mary, Angels, Shepherds, Wise men, and Jesus. Each part has a scripture verse, the story retold for that portion of the nativity, a discussion topic, a section that talks about what we can learn from that portion of the Nativity story, as well as an activity to go with it. They have created beautiful printable ornaments that go with each portion.
The have a pdf that you can down load on their website. or they have a link to buy hangable ones as well. This year I printed them and glued them to cardboard circles with strings. We are hanging them on a evergreen garland hung above our living room window. When you are complete with the activity you then add that portion of the nativity to the part. So currently we have a stable with Joseph alone in the stable. The activity
Tonight is Mary. In the scriptures it talks about how Mary took all these things and pondereth them in her heart. Tonight's activity is to make cookies together as a family and talk about the miracle of Christ and take time to ponder how the Life of Christ has changed our life. I am excited because we will make our favorite Christmas Cookies.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint
12 candy canes - crushed
1 package of chocolate chips
Cream sugar, eggs and butter together, add vanilla and peppermint, combine with dry ingredients. after well combined add in chocolate chips and crushed candy cane. form into balls, and cook at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.
enjoy with milk!!!!
This looks very fun!
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