Advent

This is truly my most favorite time of the year. I love Jesus and the story of His birth.  I'm a pretty emotional gal. If you don't believe me ask my hubby or turn on any version of Mary did you know and I'll instantly be weeping. To know that He sent His only son to live here on earth to be persecuted and die for us. That Mary gave birth to the King of Kings! To give each of us life.

This I such a wonderful time and opportunity to teach your children how to show the love of Christ in a world driven by material things. Here are a few ways our family keeps our focus on Jesus during Christmas season.

Ornaments and A meaningful Christmas daily scripture and readings.  I joined in with a group of ladies a few Christmases ago and we each made enough of our assigned ornament to trade with each other. It was wonderful fellowship and now all of our children enjoy this advent each year. We read the scripture for each day, talk over the discussion questions, and pray together. Here are just a few of the ornaments.

I also use this beautiful candle advent to count down. We move the Mary on the donkey each day as we light the candles, until she reaches the day of Christs birth. This is a beautiful handmade piece that also comes with extensions and a cut out of Jesus carrying the cross for Lent. I ordered it several years ago from the children of Ann Voskamp, I believe their shop is called  Joywares.

And last year I added this fill your own advent. I'm filling these days with some service projects, and a few treats. Several days are a piece of candy, or riding to see Christmas lights. I added a few popcorn and Christmas movie days. Television is not in our day to day norm, so it's a treat for our kiddos to watch a movie on the only TV that is located in our bedroom. Some ways Ive added for us to serve this season are: picking up trash in our neighborhood, taking cookies to our local soup kitchen and nursing home, delivering holiday plants to some elderly folks we love, buying a few toys to give to toys for tots, making extra treats for the teachers and staff at our school, buying goodies for our mail carrier and trash men, and giving to a family in need. I love watching my children serve and get excited about giving to others.

The very last Christmas tradition we have is this. On Christmas morning as soon as everyone is awake, they all pile into our bed, even our teenager and we read from the Bible the story of Jesus birth. I get a lump in my throat and watery eyes every time. Then we pray together and thank the Lord for sending His son! It is truly the sweetest memories and I'm so thankful for them. What are some of your favorite Advent traditions?