by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It’s never too late to begin a new family tradition!
Back in 2008, and again last year, I shared this post, so if it seems familiar—it is, but new readers have joined us since last December. (Welcome!)
Now, with two granddaughters and a grandson, Brian and I are re-creating some of our past traditions and starting a few new ones as well.
To most, this is a simple (and bare) Nestle Quik container. To me,
however, this brightly lidded container represents a priceless treasury
trove of memories.
When the boys were little, we created a
Christmas tradition that if they behaved throughout the day, they could
draw one or two slips of paper from the container and we, as a family,
would have to do whatever it said. Good behavior + family activities =
success! I’m not sure what it is with me and slips of paper, but here
were some of the activities they found inside:
- Ride through a nearby small town (for us, Fountain Inn) and enjoy the lights and decorations.
- Work on the Christmas puzzle (we tried to complete one a season – leaving it out 24/7 for anyone wanting to work on it at any given time.)
- Rent a Christmas movie or watch one of ours. Make some popcorn and cocoa. Change seats during commercials.
- Family Instrument Night. Grab pots, pans – sing your favorite fun Christmas songs.
- Sleep on couch bed (this folded out in our den where they could fall asleep watching Christmas movies)
- Turn off all the lights in the house except for the tree lights and watch a classic Christmas movie together as a family.
- Make up your own version of the “12 Days” and share it with everyone.
- Each
family member does an acrostic for the word “Christmas”. Time limit:
10 minutes. Share it with the group and then display them in the house.
- Pray for all those who have sent us Christmas cards.
- Make a pallet for sleeping under the Christmas tree, turn on the tree lights and turn off all others. (The boys loved this!)
- Choose your favorite Christmas CD to play. TV off!
Brian
and I enjoyed creating traditions for the boys while they were growing
up. We felt it gave them a sense of security and stability — something I
could never offer them during their very early years when I had no
relationship with Jesus.
Many great memories have been created over the years and now we’re blessed to enjoy some of these traditions with our grandchildren.
I’d love to hear your favorite family tradition!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
-Mother Teresa
Care to join me for a little experiment this week? If so, let’s go!
- Purchase a 5.00 gift card of your choice (mine will be Starbucks)
- Pray, asking God to lead us to a person of His choosing.
- When you sense you’ve found the right person, share it with him/her and ask how you can pray for them.
A $5.00 gift card may not seem like much but when purchased with love and prayer in mind, it becomes a priceless gift in the hand of the receiver.
I’d love to hear how God blesses your efforts in sharing with a stranger this week!
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
What to give Jesus for His birthday?
When the boys were younger, we’d bake a birthday cake for Him and at other times we’d create new ways to give Jesus a gift, i.e., buying for someone in need, or we’d all write out our gift (being more patient with others, an act of kindness, etc.) on a slip of paper and put it on the tree.
While these celebrations, acts of service, and growing desires to be more Christ-like are certainly pleasing to the Lord, He’s clear as to how He defines love, His love language, if you will:
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.
And his commands are not burdensome… 1 John 5:3
With this in mind, what gift of love we can Him today in the form of obedience?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Remember this post from Monday?
Children were singing Jingle Bells and handing out little trinkets to all the residents. I didn’t know a smile could stretch across a face with such grace as it did on Mrs. White that afternoon, but a sigh soon escaped her notice.
When asked the reason for it, she shared how December is always a busy time at the nursing home with visiting church groups, children, etc.—but how silent their halls fell by December 26. One of her greatest wishes was to have visitors year-round.
Maybe visiting nursing homes isn’t your thing — but what service are we doing this Christmas that God may want us to continue throughout the year?
“The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.”
Billy Graham
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Yes, it’s December. It’s cold. It may even be snowy where you are (I’m envious!) but regardless of your location, it’s the perfect time to bundle up, grab a basket, and head outdoors to search for things to create a holiday table centerpiece.
- Pine cones
- Evergreen branches
- Berries (if there aren’t small children in the home)
- Sculptured bare branches
- Nuts
- Acorns
- Fruit
As you walk, consider pointing out the details of God’s magnificent handiwork. When you return home, place a large white candle in the center, sharing how Christ is the true light, the light of all mankind (read John 1).
Capturing ordinary moments for God’s glory releases extraordinary possibilities.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them
when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you
lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Day 7: Puzzled? (A fun family tradition to begin now!)
Day 11: Simple Ways to Share Christ this Christmas
