This year, we're going to do Christmas a little differently. For several years now, we've been paring down the amount of money we've spent on gifts and the number of gifts we give - usually just giving things that we need - like clothes, coats, or pjs, slippers...etc. This year, with money so tight, we decided that we wanted to focus this year on all the things that make Christmas special - and pay more attention to the activities and projects than on the shopping and gifts. Celebrating and rejoicing in family and being grateful for all the good gifts God has already given us!Some of the things we're doing:
- Jesse Tree -an advent activity. Reading through portions of scripture that outline our spiritual heritage - leading up to the birth of Christ. Having the girls join me in crafting some handmade keepsake ornaments. (Ones that we can use with our grandchildren - someday...)
- An Advent Wreath - reading John Piper's Advent Poems. You can read these yourself or click on the "listen" button and hear John Piper read them aloud. I highly recommend listening to him read them.
- Making a list of all the things the kids think are special to do in the month of December: baking together- cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls... hot coco in front of the fire, Christmas movies, a puzzle, sewing projects, getting the tree, decorating the tree, light tour, going to the mountains to see snow, our traditional Christmas Breakfast, going to a candlelight service on Christmas Eve...etc.
- Doing a service project for the poor. This year, we are going to volunteer at Samaritan's Purse to pack Operation Christmas Child boxes to ship to children in other countries. Paige, Taylor and I will join other moms and kids in our youth group to go to Orange County tomorrow for the afternoon. We're really looking forward to this!
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