May. 22, 2009 - Memorial Day Activities

     I thought I would share with you a compiled list of activities to do with the children over Memorial Day weekend.

Lesson Plans:
     Veterans in My Family
     Memorial Day Poppies

Crafts listed to do at Enchanted Learning.
Memorial Day Windsock

Click here, to read about the history of Memorial Day.

Click here, to read about the history and to listen to the Tapps.

EdHelper.com has many printable on Memorial Day.

Easy print out Crossword puzzle, click here.  Try this print out crossword puzzle, it is a little harder.

Mar. 30, 2009 - Resurrection Cookies a.k.a. Easter Story Cookies

     We serve a Risen Savior... the Lord Jesus Christ is not dead but has Risen! This is a great recipe to teach your kids the real story of Easter. This activity can be done as a family or even in Sunday School.

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
     These are to be made the evening before Easter.  Preheat oven to 300F.  *** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested.  He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read: John 19:1-3

     Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

     Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

     Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

     So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1 cup sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

     Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

     Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60

     Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

     Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

     GO TO BED!

     Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

     On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

~Source for these cookies is unknown.

     For a printable version, click here.

Mar. 10, 2009 - How To Make Your Own Plastic “Resurrection Eggs”

Dec. 8, 2008 - The Cinnamon Bear Books

Dec. 8, 2008 - The Cinnamon Bear Radio Show (MP3)

Dec. 4, 2008 - Gifts of the Magi

We began our journey of kicking santa out of our holiday and inviting Jesus instead. We began having a birthday party every Christmas Eve. We would throw a party, decorate (birthday style), invite friends over, bake a cake, and sing happy birthday to Him before we began our Christmas carols. This is something we hadn’t done in a couple of years but something that I need to add to our holiday list to do. What better reason to have a party on Christmas Eve, to invite the guest of honor…. Exciting!!

When I was searching God on ways to change, I read an article that I believe was orchestrated by God for me to read. It was all about the meaning of the gifts that was given to Jesus… they are known as the Magi Gifts.

Gifts of Gold

Gold was more valuable during the time when Jesus was born than it is today. Gold was fit for a king or someone of the highest regard. It was a great symbol for Jesus to receive such an offering, as he is indeed the King if kings and Lord of lords.

In the book Gifts for the King written by Bill and Leah Miller, they suggest that not only did the golf gift signify Jesus’ kingly position but also it could have helped Mary and Joseph escape Bethlehem. It could’ve paid for the family’s expenses and protection along the trail they secretly took to Egypt when fleeing King Herod.

For Christmas this year, give your child their own “gold” gift. Explain to them the importance of the gift of gold meant to Jesus and his family. The present given to the child should be something of great importance to suggest how valuable your child is to your family.

Gold gifts often end up being the most expensive present. Answer this question in mind? Is there something your child is really dreaming about? A gold gift might be the bicycle he is asking for, a CD player he has been saving for, or a piece of jewelry that seems appropriate. As an extra bonus, wrap the present in shiny gold wrapping paper and accent it with beautiful gold ribbons.

Gifts of Frankincense

Frankincense is a white sap or resin removed from the wounds of a tree found in East Africa and Southern Arabia. In ancient times, frankincense was placed in front of the “Tent of Meeting” to scent the place where God had promised to meet with them. (Exodus 30:34-37). God request that frankincense be used as sacred incense in His temple. The Israelites were not allowed to use it for anything besides religious purposes.  Instead, God commanded the Israelites to place the frankincense in front of the Tent of Meeting to give the place where he had promised to meet them an aroma.

You can find frankincense today used for its antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. People of the old days begged for it. It was something that could heal everything from infections to headaches. Definitely, Mary and Joseph could’ve used this gift with a new baby around.

Years after that temple was ruined, God sent his own Son, Jesus, to be a symbolic "Tent of Meeting" for all people. How fitting, then, that the wise men brought frankincense as a gift for Jesus because He had become our Emmanuel: God with us.

With this in mind, the frankincense gift should correspond with the way God meets with your child. In the pass years, I have given my girls new Bible (engraved with first name only), Christian video, Christian CD, soaking music to bring them into God’s presence during the times of soaking, devotional books, and even a daily journal. As a special touch, wrap this gift in bright white paper representing the sacred white incense that Jesus received.

Gifts of Myrrh

Like frankincense, myrrh is also a resin taken from a special tree; however, myrrh is a dark color with a rich aroma instead of being white. Myrrh was used as perfumes, embalming liquids and anointing oils in the ancient days.

In the book Gifts for the King, the author suggests that the demand for the sacred embalming process before burial made myrrh more expensive than gold or frankincense. It does seem odd that an offering of embalming liquid as a gift to celebrate the birth of new life. However, when you consider that Jesus would die for our sins, the symbolism behind the treasured gift of myrrh becomes easier to understand. In fact, Nicodemus did anoint Jesus with myrrh as part of his burial procedures, according to John 19:39-40. Even though Jesus started as a baby, he was sent to die on the cross for our sins. Remind your children of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Ideas for a myrrh gift would be with something to “anoint” the body with. For example, I have given my daughters over the years, playful tub soaps, scented bath soaps, perfume, shampoo, lotions, and even bubble bath. To stretch your imagine here, when my oldest was away at college, I gave her a “myrrh basket” that included items such as house slippers, bath robe, comb, brush, toothbrush, and even a bath towel set. Wrap the myrrh gift with earth-toned paper to represent the rich dark color of myrrh.

Christmas is a time of joy and peace, and not stress and worry. Have fun with this approach.

Dec. 4, 2008 - Legend of the Magi

(I saved this from an unknown source… I always like to give credit where credit due, but I can not find where this originally came from, if  you know… please tell me.)

Three Kings or the Wise Men are vital part of the Nativity scenes and birth of Christ reenacted in churches on Christmas. They traveled for miles to see baby Jesus and brought him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Known as the Magi (scholars, priests or astrologers), these three men were first mentioned in the New Testament as the 'wise men from the East'. They followed the divine star that led them to the child Jesus to worship the Messiah and brought gifts for him. Since, these men were from different cultures and bore rich gifts that were laden on many camels, they caused quite a stir in Jerusalem and were highly regarded. They came inquiring about the newborn 'King of the Jews'. What made their arrival even stranger was that coming of the foreign kings and gentiles bearing gifts of gold and frankincense for the promised Messiah was foretold in the scriptures.

Accord to the legend, there were three Magi and they were so talked about that they attracted the attention of King Herod too. Herod the Great was one of the kings sharing a family name of 'Herod' who held the throne at the time of Jesus's birth. He was evil, tyrannical and delighted in torturing his Jewish subjects. He was very suspicious and levied heavy taxes on his people. When he came to know that some distinguished visitors have entered his kingdom, he consulted his priests to know more about the ancient prophecy that predicted the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and he was to be the future ruler of Israel. Then, he invited Magi to his court and told them that the Messiah was born in the city of Bethlehem and asked them to find the child and inform his whereabouts to the king so he could also go and worship the child.

The Magi who were being led by the divine star followed Herod's directions and the Christmas Star and reached Bethlehem. There, they found Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus in a lowly stable. They worshipped the Child and gave Him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As they fell asleep that night, they were warned in the dream not to go back to Jerusalem and King Herod. Similarly, Joseph and Mary were asked to leave Bethlehem immediately with the Holy Child until Herod dies. Thus, Magi took a different route to their homes and Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with the baby before Herod realized that Magi had given him a slip and ordered all the children under two to be put to death.

 After the story... then read what each gift represented to Jesus and hand them that gift to open, one at a time.

This is a wonderful memory that we have done and my girls look forward to it every year. It makes them feel like they are princesses... after all they are the Daughters of the King!!

Let All the Glory this season be given to right one.... Him above!

Dec. 4, 2008 - The Difference Between Santa and Jesus

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,
what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows
our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many
hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds
mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

I take no credit for the authoring of the difference between Jesus and Santa!

Dec. 4, 2008 - Kick santa OUT and invite Jesus IN... our journey over the years

Our Christmas traditions changed when I realized that I had been deceiving my children... expecting them to have the trait of "truth" when I had lied and deceived them so many years of trying to cover up the Santa fantasy. Kids mimic what they see, not what they are told. It is the same thing as telling you child to tell the caller that you aren't home while you are standing in the kitchen. All that hard work of trying to teach them correctly and all of a sudden it is gone... done the drain… we reap, what we sow!

I have to say 6 years ago this season, I openly confessed to my children my sin and asked them for their forgiveness. My oldest (now 21) already new the truth but enjoyed "reliving" the fantasy... but my now 12 year old didn't know. I had sat her down and explained to her first what traditions were and what were fantasies. I told her of a story that when I was a little girl I believed in something for many years and when I found out the truth it hurt me. It scarred me because how could I ever trust this person again... as a child it was hard to forgive. I told her that I loved her so much that I never wanted to do that to her. Then, I told her there was no santa. I asked for her forgiveness for lying to her and trying to deceive her when God gave her to me to love, not to deceive.

I did show her and explained to her the difference between santa and Jesus. (click here) I simply asked her which gifts did she really want.... she told me Jesus!

Nov. 26, 2008 - Service Project Idea - Holiday Mail for Heroes

Here is a service project that is perfect for kids to do! 

I pulled the following information from http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/ 

Our goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and 
facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families. 

Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below: 

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Please note that the referenced guidelines are important; many contributors 
have been disappointed in the past to find that they missed the mailing 
deadline or sent gifts and other types of materials that could not be delivered:
All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10,2008. 
Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.

• Please ensure that all cards are signed.
• Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
• Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program isnot meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these itemswill be removed during the reviewing process.
• Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any oneperson or 50 from any one class or group.

Nov. 23, 2008 - "Legend of the Candy Cane" makes great group gifts

Attach sugar-free candy canes to a little note that shares the following meaning is great idea to pass out in the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Use regular candy canes and attach to a note of this message to pass out to kids in co-op, church, Christmas parade, etc…

http://www.worldofchristmas.net/

Candy canes are favorites of Christmas decorations amongst kids. These red and white J-shaped candies are tasty too. It is said that their origin lies in an event in Cologne Cathedra about two hundred thirty years ago. It was said that one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy at the Church and were not paying attention to the choirmaster. In his efforts to keep them quiet and still for Nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick. Since, giving out chocolates and candies at church was otherwise considered sacrilegious; he bent these sticks on one end to make them look like shepherds' cane who went to worship the Christ on the day he was born and thus, attached a religious significance to them.

In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio liked candy canes so much that he put them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up and became quite a fashion. By 1900, candy canes started coming in red stripes and peppermint flavoring and it was said that the white color was symbolic Christ's purity while the red symbolized the wounds he suffered. The peppermint flavoring was said to represent the hyssop herb described in Bible for purification. Some other interpret that the 'J' shaped candy cane is not a cane but the letter 'J' that stands for Jesus. However, there are no evidences supporting these views. Around 1920, Bob McCormack from Georgia started mass-producing candy canes that came to be known as Bob's Candies. Since then, the firm has remained the most popular candy-cane manufacturer company in the world.

Nov. 22, 2008 - Christmas view

The Innkeeper

The Innkeeper, by John Piper, retells the Christmas story from a different point of view. So often, we overlook the one person who had a very significant role that night when Christ was born - the mysterious innkeeper. Do we ever really stop and think about this man who offered Mary and Joseph his stable? No one else offered to help. Why did he do it? Did it touch the rest of his life? After reading this poem, you will probably never overlook him again. In the story, just as he once offered Christ the comfort of a bed of hay, so Christ returns to comfort him.

John Piper also wrote the poem to remind us of the hope we have in our Savior. This hope is needed not only at Christmas, but anytime we go through the loss of a loved one through great tragedy. This story is not only poignant, but comforting.

The Innkeeper's Wife

I’m the innkeeper’s wife. My name is Hannah. Come with me. My husband says you can stay the night in our stable. It is a little way from the inn, but I think you will be all right there. Joseph looked at Mary and waited. “Yes, Joseph. We can’t stay here.” Suddenly her face tightened and she reached for Joseph’s hand. She put her head down and all she said was “Oh!” That was all I needed. I saw instantly that her husband, though he would have defended her at that moment with his very life, could not help her. His wife was in labor. This original and stirring fictional account of the Christmas story introduces readers to Hannah, the innkeeper’s wife. The author takes a deeper look at what could have been as she allows us to view the Nativity through the eyes of the supposed midwife to Mary. Readers travel back with Hannah to the day when Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem and forward to the miraculous account of when shepherds came and witnessed of angels.

Who Were the Magi?

Who were the Magi and where did they come from? How did they end up at a stable in the middle of nowhere, far from their homes? —Or did they? Travel back in time to the ancient Middle East and the distant world of the Magi, around whom so many legends have arisen. Ride in the caravan with the Magi as they journey to find the promised Messiah, whose star has appeared in the Eastern sky. How did they know it was His sign? Written for adults and older children, this family fireside read provides a welcome escape from the stress of the holidays and takes you back to the quiet wonder of the Magi and their mysterious mission. Listen as they tell their story that began six centuries earlier with the prophet Daniel, an Israelite captive in ancient Babylon, who won the favor of the cruel and ruthless King Nebuchadnezzar. Discover how Daniel’s destiny became intertwined with that of “their fathers,” the Magi of his time. What was their connection now? How did Daniel’s influence course through the centuries to a point in time when they knew to look for a sign? They answer these questions as they travel by day and gather around campfires at night. Experience their anticipation as they enter Jerusalem and their joy when they find the child. Encounter the intrigue and tragic events surrounding their arrival. Share their grief that turns into joy three decades later when they hear the news that finally makes sense of their journey. This narrative is told with a Middle-Eastern flavor, with all its exotic mystery. The story will enchant older children and adults, and the illustrations will delight children of all ages. It is a story the entire family can share and enjoy together.

An Angel's Story

Spiritual beings populate the stories of Scripture. Angels singing. Demons infecting. Heavenly hosts fighting . . . Ignore the armies of God and Satan and you ignore the heart of Scripture. Ever since the snake tempted Eve in Eden, we've known: there is more to this world than meets the eye.

In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ. Surely there was much. If Satan could pre-empt Christ in the cradle, there'd be no Christ on the cross.

Journey back in time to the very throne of God ... and witness firsthand the glory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas.

The Shepherd's Christmas Story

Of all the people in all the earth--kings, nobles, religious leaders--the Lord God chose the lowest class of people to hear the highest of announcements, the announcement that the world had been waiting to hear for thousands of years. Finally, the promised Messiah was here.

This is the story of that announcement, described by a shepherd who was there. With fear, awe, and tremendous joy, the lowly shepherds listened to the angel's message and marveled that their long-awaited Savior was born. Join the shepherds as they hear the amazing news and race to the manger to kneel before the Christ Child. Told in delightful, narrative, and charming pictures, The Shepherd's Christmas Story will be a family favorite for years to come.

Feb. 10, 2008 - Happy 21st Birthday, little girl!!

A Mother, A Daughter
Author Unknown

A daughter - to a mother
Is a mirrored image of herself
She sees the same face
She feels the same hurt

A mother to a daughter
Is a cruel reminder
Of things to come
She sees the same face
She feels the same hurt

Why, when the two stand together
Can’t they see
The mirrored image
The cruel reminder
The only see authority
They only see rebellion

When does the distance
Between them seem so far
Yesterday they walked together
Yesterday they talked together
Two minds, one thought
A mother, a daughter

What makes a mother
Forget that she was young
She made so many mistakes
She cried a stream of tears
Only to land on her two feet
All of it now behind her.

What makes a daughter
Wish that she was grown
Away from her mother’s loving arms
Standing by herself
Not needing anyone
Making her own choices

A daughter to a Mother
Is the greatest gift God gives
A chance to change destiny
Prove herself better
The life she wished she’d lived

A mother ­ to a daughter,
Is a fortress to conquer
A wall to climb over
Prove herself better
Make a life that’s all her own.

Dec. 24, 2007 - The Christmas Story... according to Scripture

A Christmas Story to Remember…

    In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

    Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

    "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

    The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

    "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.” ~ Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

    “…Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

    But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

    All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

    When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” ~ Matthew 1: 19-25 (NIV).

     “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

    So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

    Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

    When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” ~ Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV).

    “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

    When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

    After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

    On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

    When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

    So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

    When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

    After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." of Israel

    So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." ~ Matthew 2:1-23 (NIV). of Israel

    “…And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” ~ Luke 2:40 (NIV)

Dec. 15, 2007 - The difference between Santa and Jesus...

I found this poem in an email and I really liked it.  I hope you will too. 

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa?

Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
 "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says, "You'd better not pout, you'd better not cry,"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

Dec. 11, 2007 - Sign Language Christmas Carols

This is TOTALLY too cool!!

Here are Christmas carols in sign language....

http://www.signingforhymn.com/videopage.html

You can learn your favorite hymns in sign language!! Excellent!!

Signing has been very close to my heart for some time now. Last year, I invested in a Sign Language program, and my daughter and I had taken several lessons. Sometimes during worship at church, I will automatically start signing to Him... it's a little wierd when you realizing you are doing something that you didn't tell yourself to do... if that makes any sense at all. Yes, I am walking out on a ledge here... letting everyone know how wierd I really am.

We do not have a "deaf ministry" at our church and I wonder if that is something the Lord is sprouting within us. My daughter LOVES to sign also. In fact, when I am on stage at church (choir.... I blend into the backgrouund :<)) she will send me "little messages" via signing, like... "I love you", "Jesus loves you", or sometimes just the words to the song.

Dec. 10, 2007 - Legend of the Magi

Read Christmas Story from Luke 2. Then I read this….

 Legend of the Magi

(I saved this from an unknown source… I always like to give credit where credit due, but I can not find where this originally came from, if  you know… please tell me.)

Three Kings or the Wise Men are vital part of the Nativity scenes and birth of Christ reenacted in churches on Christmas. They traveled for miles to see baby Jesus and brought him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Known as the Magi (scholars, priests or astrologers), these three men were first mentioned in the New Testament as the 'wise men from the East'. They followed the divine star that led them to the child Jesus to worship the Messiah and brought gifts for him. Since, these men were from different cultures and bore rich gifts that were laden on many camels, they caused quite a stir in Jerusalem and were highly regarded. They came inquiring about the newborn 'King of the Jews'. What made their arrival even stranger was that coming of the foreign kings and gentiles bearing gifts of gold and frankincense for the promised Messiah was foretold in the scriptures.

Accord to the legend, there were three Magi and they were so talked about that they attracted the attention of King Herod too. Herod the Great was one of the kings sharing a family name of 'Herod' who held the throne at the time of Jesus's birth. He was evil, tyrannical and delighted in torturing his Jewish subjects. He was very suspicious and levied heavy taxes on his people. When he came to know that some distinguished visitors have entered his kingdom, he consulted his priests to know more about the ancient prophecy that predicted the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and he was to be the future ruler of Israel. Then, he invited Magi to his court and told them that the Messiah was born in the city of Bethlehem and asked them to find the child and inform his whereabouts to the king so he could also go and worship the child.

The Magi who were being led by the divine star followed Herod's directions and the Christmas Star and reached Bethlehem. There, they found Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus in a lowly stable. They worshipped the Child and gave Him the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As they fell asleep that night, they were warned in the dream not to go back to Jerusalem and King Herod. Similarly, Joseph and Mary were asked to leave Bethlehem immediately with the Holy Child until Herod dies. Thus, Magi took a different route to their homes and Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with the baby before Herod realized that Magi had given him a slip and ordered all the children under two to be put to death.

 After the story... then read what each gift represented to Jesus and hand them that gift to open, one at a time.

This is a wonderful memory that we have done and my girls look forward to it every year. It makes them feel like they are princesses... after all they are the Daughters of the King!!

Let All the Glory this season be given to right one.... Him above!

Dec. 10, 2007 - Magi Gifts...

This is what many of you are waiting for... Magi Gifts that I mentioned in my previous post.

MAGI GIFTS

Our Christmas traditions changed when I realized that I had been deceiving my children... expecting them to have the trait of "truth" when I had lied and deceived them so many years of trying to cover up the Santa fantasy. Kids mimic what they see, not what they are told. It is the same thing as telling you child to tell the caller that you aren't home while you are standing in the kitchen. All that hard work of trying to teach them correctly and all of a sudden it is gone... done the drain… we reap, what we sow!

I have to say 5 years ago this season, I openly confessed to my children my sin and asked them for their forgiveness. My oldest (now 20) already new the truth but enjoyed "reliving" the fantasy... but my now 11 year old didn't know. I had sat her down and explained to her first what traditions were and what were fantasies. I told her of a story that when I was a little girl I believed in something for many years and when I found out the truth it hurt me. It scarred me because how could I ever trust this person again... as a child it was hard to forgive. I told her that I loved her so much that I never wanted to do that to her. Then, I told her there was no santa. I asked for her forgiveness for lying to her and trying to deceive here when God gave her to me to love, not to deceive.

I did show her and explained to her the difference between santa and Jesus. I simply asked her which gifts did she really want.... she told me Jesus!

It took me another two years to realize that I had been judgmental to others regarding santa. I have come to realize my own convictions, are just that… mine, not yours. If you feel the Holy Spirit pricking your heart then I would suggest to seek God.

So we began our journey of kicking santa out of our holiday and inviting Jesus instead. We began having a birthday party every Christmas Eve. We would throw a party, decorate (birthday style), invite friends over, bake a cake, and sing happy birthday to Him before we began our Christmas carols. This is something we hadn’t done in a couple of years but something that I need to add to our holiday list to do. What better reason to have a party on Christmas Eve, to invite the guest of honor…. Exciting!!

When I was searching God on ways to change, I read an article that I believe was orchestrated by God for me to read. It was about the Magi Gifts. We have been doing this ever since. It was first published in the Christian Parenting Today, Fall 2002 issue. I read the article at the doctor’s office. In fact, I still have the article from that magazine. I asked the nurse if I could have the article, I explained to her why and she told me to take the magazine since they had received an extra issue. This is what the article said:

“Gifts of Gold

Dec. 9, 2007 - The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), 1906.

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.

In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name “Mr. James Dillingham Young.”

The “Dillingham” had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called “Jim” and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.

Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn’t go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling–something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.

There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pierglass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art.

Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.

Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim’s gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other was Della’s hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

Where she stopped the sign read: “Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds.” One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the “Sofronie.”

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair,” said Madame. “Take yer hat off and let’s have a sight at the looks of it.”

Down rippled the brown cascade.

“Twenty dollars,” said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim’s present.

She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation–as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim’s. It was like him. Quietness and value–the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.

When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends–a mammoth task.

Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically.

“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do–oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?”

At 7 o’clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.

Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit of saying a little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: “Please God, make him think I am still pretty.”

The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two–and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.

Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.

Della wriggled off the table and went for him.

“Jim, darling,” she cried, “don’t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn’t have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It’ll grow out again–you won’t mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!’ Jim, and let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice–what a beautiful, nice gift I’ve got for you.”

“You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.

“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? I’m me without my hair, ain’t I?”

Jim looked about the room curiously.

“You say your hair is gone?” he said, with an air almost of idiocy.

“You needn’t look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you–sold and gone, too. It’s Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered,” she went on with sudden serious sweetness, “but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?”

Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year–what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.

Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table.

“Don’t make any mistake, Dell,” he said, “about me. I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.”

White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.

For there lay The Combs–the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jeweled rims–just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.

But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: “My hair grows so fast, Jim!”

And then Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, “Oh, oh!”

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.

“Isn’t it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it.”

Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled.

“Dell,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ‘em a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on.”

The magi, as you know, were wise men–wonderfully wise men–who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

Dec. 6, 2007 - Christmas at the Diamond Home

I am participating the “Holiday Open House” that is sponsored by Tiany. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Tiany/416674/

The contest is basically for us to write about how we are going to teach our children about the real meaning of Christmas. Won’t you join us?

OUR HOMEMADE GIFTS

Our preparation for Christmas actually started about two weeks ago, when we went on a nature hike, where we gathered and pressed many Florida flowers. We plan to decoupage the wildflowers onto a glass votive candle. The candles will be placed in a smaller basket with the homemade soap we made this week. The aunts and grandmas will be getting a homemade basket from us this year.

Also, if all turns out… we are beginning our baking over the next two weeks. We will be making {click on name for recipe} stained glass cookies, rainbow treats, Peanut Butter fudge, peanut butter crispy balls, Mexican wedding cookies, sugar cookies, and butter cookies. With these items in a basket, we are praying that we can bless our FedEx driver, UPS driver (since they make deliveries quite frequently), the mail lady, the librarians, and for some reason I feel that we need to bless the ladies at the water company.

One tradition that I had done many years ago, and am starting again is Christmas Caroling. My daughter (age 11) volunteered to “head” it up as a 4-H Leadership project. She coordinated it with my help. When it came down to it, no one in our 4-H club signed up to come sing. This was really disappointing to her. Instead of letting the residents of the nursing home down, we invited a couple other families to go caroling with us. On Saturday the First, we went to our first nursing home and it was a success! We ended up with nine kids going, all homeschoolers, who are in love with the Lord! It was a real blessing to me to be able to a part of this project! (Although, I am heading it up…)

HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS

With the Jesse Tree ornaments that we are making, we are also making Spice Ornaments for our Christmas tree.

Recipe for Spice Ornaments:

¾ c ground cinnamon
2 Tb ground nutmeg
1 Tb ground cloves
1 c applesauce
1 straw
1/8 inch or ¼ inch ribbon

Combine and mix all ingredients (in order). Mixture should be stiff. Roll out to ¼ thickness over wax paper. Using a medium-size cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes. Use a straw to poke a whole. Let ornaments dry uncovered 2 or 3 days turning over several times during the drying period.

We are also painting various plaster ornaments shaped as "love", "peace", "hope", a star to name a few. This picture here is one of snowflakes that we are making from a kit that I purchased last year after the holiday clearance.

DECORATION

I feel that it is important for anyone to walk into our house to know that we are not just “another Christian family” but Jesus-Lovers. For almost two years now, we have stepped away from the ‘traditional’ Christmas and begun a new journey. When visitors come into my home, I want to them to know that we are celebrating Jesus birthday, not Christmas. I have exchanged my ornaments from the traditional ornaments (santa , reindeer etc) to Jesus ornaments. We have the spice ornaments we make, usually colored balls, and lights on our tree. I have gotten rid of our secular ornaments that once hung on our tree.

This year instead of one big tall tree, we are going with the three Christmas trees. Ranging in size of 2ft – 4 ft. I will have them set up in a corner of our house with the Magi Gifts under them.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

These homeschoolers suggested a couple other nursing homes that were near and dear to them, so we added them to our list.  Do you realize the places we are going to didn’t and won’t have carolers this year? Since Thanksgiving, we are putting together a “Christmas Program” {click for video clips} that involves a nativity scene. Our group is now 14 kids who will be visiting two nursing homes this week.

My daughter and I made over 65 sachet bags and had a “Craft party” and invited the children over to stuff our sachet bags with apple-cinnamon potpourri. I originally began using toole to wrap the potpourri, but it kept getting stuck in my sewing machine. I had an idea to buy a thin ribbon to sew along the seams. That should prevent it from sticking inside my machine as well as helping to fasten the sides together. So, my dd and I went to Walmart. We got their, and I realized in order to make all these bags, it was going to cost to much money to buy enough thin ribbon. I was praying and searching for an idea when I found myself in the Christmas Department at Walmart. I found 75 foot roll of wire ribbon that is about 3 inches think. The ribbon is see-through; you could breathe through it so I know it would work to smell through it. I took it home cut off a nine inch and folded it. I sewed around the three-edges and added a ribbon at the top, and WOW! Look how it came out!! 

I want to give God ALL the glory on this! I am not a creative person. Anyone who knows me will tell you that. This was totally a God-thing!!

We also signed enough Christmas cards for everyone! We laughed and joked around about how famous we felt… giving our autographs!!

The last nursing home is an Assisted Living facility that houses 210+ residents. For them, we got candy canes (regular and sugar-free) and decorated them. Those that are sugar-free got a “purple” curly ribbon whereas the other got wither red, green or white curly ribbons.

CHARACTER LESSONS

There are many character lessons to be taught over the Christmas holidays, but the most important to me that I work on ALL YEAR LONG is to instill in my daughter is… a servant’s heart. I believe it is important to serve the Lord, through serving man. From picking faceless tags off of the Angel Tree, to bell-ringing for Salvation Army, to Caroling at local nursing homes, to sharing our Christmas dinner with strangers. I want my children to realize it is not about them. It is about Jesus Christ and “loving your neighbor.”

SCHOOL in DECEMBER

For school this month, we are doing only Christmas this month (along with Math)!! My daughter was thrilled with this. We are doing a lapbook (notebook-style) of the Symbols of Christmas, nativity, and Christmas around the world. We will learn about the different Legends of the Poinsetta, Candy Cane, Christmas Tree and the Legend the Magi. For the various traditions we do for Christmas, I want to be able to teach her why we do them or why we don't do them.

New traditions we are starting this year is the Jesse Tree. In fact, we began today by going out to the park and found a branch to use. We are making the ornaments and laminating them for future uses. From the daily Scripture reading for the Jesse Tree, we will work on Language Arts, Art and Penmanship.

Throughout the month we will be studying various Christmas hymns and their history.

 Book List
Holy Bible (daily Scripture reading with the Jesse Tree)
A Family Christmas by James Dobson
Classic Christmas Stories
A Christmas Carol (compare and contrast book & movie)
The Christmas Star
Jotham’s Journey
The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne
The Legend of the Poinsetta by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Polar Express (compare and contrast book & movie)
The Heart of Christmas by Max Lucado
Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old by Miriam LeBlanc
Christmas Around the World by Mary Lankford
Seeking the Christmas Lamb by Tamara Buchan

 Family Movie Night
Home Alone (1990)
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (1984)
A House without a Christmas Tree (1972)
Little Women (1994)
The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Miracle of 34^th Street (1947)
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Christmas Box (1995)
A Christmas Story (1983)

OUR HOLIDAY

Each day with the Jesse Tree, we are leading up to the birth of Christ. On Christmas Eve, we will “re-cap” everything we discussed all month long. We will read the Christmas Story from Luke and then act it out.

On Christmas Eve, we do the candlelight service at church. The last time, we stood outside under the stars holding candles and singing carols. I usually fix a platter of finger sandwiches. This year, I plan to make roll ups. I am going to take leaf lettuce (in place of bread), and roll up turkey, cheese, green pepper and tomato then place a toothpick to hold together. These are excellent tasting, and very healthy! I will also serve a cheese ball rolled in sliced pecan nuts and crackers. We usually invite friends over sing around the Christmas tree after the church service. However, this year I am coordinating a small group of a couple of families to join together after Church to go to the hospital to carol up and down the halls on Christmas Eve.

Presents, Presents, Presents…

On Christmas Eve, the girls will be able to open their presents, all but the “Magi Gifts.” The closest relative is about 1200 miles, we exchange gifts through the mail. All of the gifts coming in from family will be opened on Christmas Eve, after company leaves.  The girls open presents while enjoying hot cocoa.

Then, on Christmas morning…

The girls usually roll out of bed early. We meet at the foot of the Christmas tree with anticipation. We will read the final Jesse Tree daily devotional. We will discuss why we celebrate Christmas, and then discuss the Legend of the Magi. (This is my favorite part!)  Both girls will receive three gifts… one to represent myrrh, one to represent frankincense, and one to represent gold. I tell them the significance of what each gift that Jesus Christ received and how it symbolizes Jesus as our King, as god, and as our Savior as they open it. (Click here) to find out more about this odd way of gift giving.

We spend Christmas day watching family movies and enjoy being with each other.

BIBLICAL HOLY DAYS

My girls and I haven’t begun celebrating Biblical holy days. I do have a desire to learn more about the different holy days mentioned in the Bible. I know the desire is coming from Him. I have ordered a bible study that the Grapevine Studies has put out. It just came in a couple of days ago. I know in my heart once I do this study, I will be changing the holidays I celebrate or at least adding the Biblical holy days to our family calendar.