Christmas Traditions

I don't spend a lot of time blogging about Advent because there are moms out there far more creative than me who can offer so many more resources for those searching for ideas. And maybe it's because I get slightly cynical about how much emphasis we put on Christmas, when Easter often gets swept under the rug. But, living in the culture we live in, Christmas is going to be a big deal to our kids whether it's because of Jesus or all the many other things the world says Christmas is about.

This is our first year to actually celebrate Christmas in our own home with only our immediate family, which means it was the first year we have actually really looked at what we wanted Christmas to look like for us. Thanks to those super crafty, creative moms out there who take the time to blog and share about what they do, this is what we've come up with....

We kicked off Advent (Dec. 1) this year by putting a new Christmas DVD in the kids' stockings. We gave them "Why do we call it Christmas?" by Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer. It is such a neat video! It explains so simply where so many of our Christmas traditions come from (Santa, trees, presents, stockings, ect)and how each one points back to Jesus. I, personally, learned so much! :)

http://truthinthetinsel.com
This is a link to 25 days of printable devotionals designed for toddlers through early elementary kids. It has scripture each day that takes you through a small part of the events leading up to Christ's birth. It also has an ornament to make each day to accompany the devotionals. You have the option to purchase printable ornaments if you don't think you're organized enough to keep up with all the supplies (which is what we did.) Grayson has LOVED this and it has been so perfect for him. He can't wait each morning to make that day's ornament to put on his little Christmas tree he has. It is well worth the few dollars it costs and can be used again year after year!

I also wrap 12 children's Christmas books about Jesus' birth or the Christian message about Christmas. Grayson and Camdyn open one each day during the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Many moms do 25 books, but instead of trying to keep up with library books and such, I've just slowly been adding to our permanent collection. This is a really fun tradition because Camdyn can also participate, and let's face it, kids LOVE to open presents!

Tonight, I wrapped the kids' Christmas presents. They will each have three presents to open Christmas morning, which we've explained to Grayson that they will receive only three because that is how many presents Jesus got (of course this does not count presents from grandparents and aunts and uncles who insist on spoiling them rotten :). When the materialism of Christmas creeps in (which of course it's bound to), we respond simply with, "It's not your birthday!" :)

http://bradandhaleysmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/is-santa-coming-to-town.html
This is a post from last year about how we've chosen to handle Santa in our family.

Our prayer is that the Christmas traditions that we are starting now with our children would be something that instills in them at a young age a lasting love for our Lord and Savior!

Merry Christmas to our amazing family and friends! Thank you for the way you bless our lives!