Thursday, December 9, 2010

Making Christmas Meaningful...

  We all know how easy it is to get caught up in the busyness of the Christmas season.  There are just so many things to do.  Starting with the week or so leading up to Thanksgiving the "TO DO" list can get out of control.  

  Grocery shopping, decorating the house, putting up the Christmas lights, baking cookies, school parties, work parties, (if you are anything like me....gift shopping at the last minute) the list goes on and on.  

  I try every year to do things with my kids that focus on the REAL meaning of Christmas.  I don't want their crazy, frazzled, decorating obsessed Mother, to be their only memories of the holiday.  

Currently we as a family....and yes, even the 15 yr old, are sitting down and reading this book together.  

One Wintry Night By Ruth Bell Graham


  


 The illustrations in this book are AMAZING!!  The story is a very interesting way to tell the Christmas story, starting in Genesis, and going all the way through the Resurrection!  Such an awesome way to share the TRUE meaning of Christmas with your children.  The story is even captivating and mature enough for the grown up audience!  LOVE IT!


  Another book we love to read each Christmas season is, This is the Star, By Joyce Dunbar and Gary Blythe.









  This  book  is read with a repetitive cadence.  Perfect for the littlest of Children, but the stillness of this book makes even the Adults pause out of reverence for our New Born King. The illustrations are like nothing I have ever seen before.  Their realism is Awe inspiring to say the least.

Here is a picture of the wise men.  It looks like a photo!




  I don't want to spoil these books for you, so these are the only photos I will post.  

During the six years I homeschooled my children, my Aunt and Sister in Law, both were homeschooling their children for a period of time as well.  One Christmas we acted this book out as a play with the kids as the nativity scene!  We used a narrator to read the story as the children took their place in the nativity scene.  It was Sooo Meaningful.  I wish I had the video to post, but unfortunately our video camera was on the fritz that day.  :(  

  Over 2000 years ago, in the City of David, God sent his only Son down to earth in the form of a baby.  He would grow to be a man, and lead a sinless life. He  walked among his followers,  He performed great miracles, and ultimately died on a cross and rose again on the third day.  Because of his perfection, his blood sacrifice paid for our sins.  Anyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, will never face the eternal death.  The one that separates us permanently from our Heavenly Father.  I pray during this holiday that you take the time to reflect as a family on the wonderful meaning of Christmas, and remember that the baby in the manger is only the beginning of the story!  




  Merry Christmas to you all!  May you be blessed this Holiday season!  <3  Paula