It even sounds lovely. For us, the Christmas season begins the first of December. We focus each evening on the birth of Jesus Christ. We want there to be no question in our children’s minds about what Christmas is all about.
Several years ago, we sold our house in the middle of November. We were supposed to move into our new home in two weeks. Mind you, we had a ten year old, a four year old, a two year old and a newborn. Two weeks turned into seven weeks! Momma had to make Christmas. We spent the entire Christmas season and Christmas itself in that motel room watching the wonderful celebrations on the Home and Garden Channel and the Food Network. That experience changed the way I “make Christmas” for my family forever. All of our Christmas things were in storage. A friend loaned us a pre-decorated two foot tall tree. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a couple of new Christmas decorations to put about and some candles. Then, I made the most wonderful discovery in my local Bible bookstore.
I found a wonderful, beautifully illustrated Advent book. It has doors that the children open each night that reveal beautiful paintings and the story of the birth of Christ. This isn’t a kiddie book; it is art. It is called THE ADVENT BOOK by Jack and Kathy Stockman. The price was steep, $35.00 at the time; but, I knew that I had to make this season special. We love this book so much, I want to give each of the kids a copy of their own when they marry.
Each evening, we gather in the living room. We light the candle that is above our Nativity scene; and then, we take turns reading the Christmas story from this wonderful book. The days are numbered 1-25. On December 1st we read day 1. Each day we read from the beginning up to the present day. So tonight, we will read days 1-14. I love it because my little ones are learning it by heart.
After we read it, we may read another Christmas book, or sing Silent Night and another carol or two. It is a cozy way to bring our focus back to Lord Jesus and to calm down at the end of the day.
Here is a list of some of the Christmas books our family enjoys:
The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
Annika’s Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
May you find peace and joy in your celebration of Christ’s birth during this Christmas season.
Laura
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May suggest?
Originally published December 2007May suggest?
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Thank you for sharing your post at WJIM. You listed some great books for the Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteDear Laura,
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show how the love of Jesus makes all the difference. I can imagine you all there, the children gathering around, eager to hear the next story.
♥Hope
It's good still Hope. It's good still.
ReplyDelete