The Lord is my strength

Today was one of those days when ya just feel like a failure. Anybody else have those? I'll not go into the details of everything I did wrong today. I came across the verse "the lord is my strength and my song." 

I don't want to think "I need more coffee and then I can get through the day." Or " maybe I just need a good girls night- a break!" "I wonder if the kids are just tired, need some alone time with me, hungry, etc, etc." I want my strength to come from the lord alone! And here, tonight, in this quiet house, he strengthend me. I heard him gently ask, "Why are you listening to that lie?" He reminded me of how calm I was when the frozen lemonade exploded onto the car. And how I laughed instead of scolding when Audrey handed her used toilet paper to her sister to let her put in the potty. She was trying to include her in the process and it was actually kind of sweet. #thingsIneverthoughtI'dsayaboutusedtoiletpaper

He is so gentle and so good to me. He lifts my spirit and brings fruit out of it. He's amazing. He is Yahweh. 

Do you dread "quiet time?"

I don't know if I'll get beat up for this or not, because it does seem to go against some tradition, but I disagree that you have to have a scheduled "quiet time" with the Lord. I hate that so many people struggle with the guilt of not keeping up with something like that and I'm sure that God does too. He tells us to hide his word "in our hearts," to "pray without ceasing," and to "let his praise continually be in our mouths..." He doesn't have to be reserved to one half hour of our days, or so many pages in our beth Moore, or a chapter a day. When we take bite sized portions of scripture and prayer throughout the day, we let him be Emmanuel-"God with us," (not God-with-us-during-our-30-min-and-only-if-you-schedule-him-and-do-it-right)! I get much more fulfillment from taking time with Jesus this way, because it lends itself to more practical use of scripture in my life. 

The bible is so rich and meaty, and we don't have to read very much of it at a time for it to have it an effect on us. 

Sometimes, even one word from a verse can be enough to change or move my heart when I consider the context! Here's an example: "You will go out in joy and peace" Isaiah 55:12. Who's the "you?" What kind of "joy?" What is peace, really?" How can I be "in" those things?" Why would God want me to have "joy?" 

You get the idea. There is so much you can get from one verse and so much that can be lost when skimming through and trying to get chapters under your belt. I urge us to sit and soak up each word! 

Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate scripture into your daily activities: 

Listen to the Seeds Family worship CDs and pray the verses while you sing along. 

Say a prayer while you're doing dishes (or going potty-hey, everyone's got time for THAT!)

Frame some verses and put them up around your house and car (bathroom mirrors, sinks, beds, tables-anywhere!) and be intentional about meditating on them-or praying them over your family or saying them until they get in your heart-when you pass one by. 

Pray while you brush your teeth. I have a prayer calendar and a list of people to pray for next to my sink because that's what works for me! 

Read or memorize a verse with your kids over lunch and take a minute to think about what it means-what each word really means, what it's teaching you about God, how you can implement it, etc. 

Pray out loud while you're driving so your kids can hear you and learn how to pray too. 

Say your memory verse at night when you can't sleep. 

Listen to a podcast sermon while you fold laundry.

Make a craft and consider how YOU were wonderfully crafted. 

Watch a sunset or a bird hopping on your lawn for a second and remember that we "live and move and breathe in Him." Remember how big and miraculous this world is. 

Get the goTandem app and adjust the settings to have short messages throughout the day. 

Follow people on Instagram or Facebook who post scriptures like prov31 ministries or tobymac. 

"Let your life song sing." 

There are so many little moments that God can be a part of during our days-and all these little ways count as "being in the word."

Maybe scheduling is your thing. Maybe you thrive on it. Maybe it sets the tone for your day. Maybe you'll get too distracted with other things if you don't have that time. Go for it! 

But if it doesn't... If it just makes you feel guilty when you don't keep up...if it's a part of a spiritual checklist...if you read and then close the book and go on about your day as though he's separate... DON'T! Please do not feel guilty or like you aren't a good enough Christian if you struggle to get up early to do have a specific quiet time or to maintain it! 

Maybe a quiet time isn't for everyone. Including Him in the everyday parts of our day without having to block off a section of time is enough...more than enough! That's what a relationship with Jesus is all about. Jesus just wants to be with us-that's the whole reason he came up with his crazy salvation plan in the first place. I just can't help but think that means he wants to be with us all day, every day, for the little and the big. 

Millions of Christians across centuries and in many nations who don't have access to the bible are no less Christian than those of who are so fortunate. Yes, we should be grateful and take advantage of the great opportunity of having the bible at our fingertips. We should not allow laziness to interrupt our relationship with the Lord, but let's not make more rules when Jesus came to set us free from them. There will be times when we need to have a big heart-to-heart with Jesus and to get away by ourselves with him, but I can't force or schedule that. 

Many people in the bible had regular meeting times with the lord, like Daniel, who prayed three times a day at the same window-and there's nothing wrong with that. But Jesus prayed constantly and was always repeating scripture to anyone and everyone as though it was always on his mind throughout the day-unless he was really worked up about something and needed to get away to pray-which he did often, but not on a schedule. Do what works for you and take Jesus out of the quiet time box whether or not you adhere to a schedule.

 

The Presence of His Spirit has been released on the WHOLE earth!!! We can access him anytime and THAT'S an opportunity to take advantage of, if I ever heard of one! 

*with love and hope that we all grow closer in our own unique and personal ways*

Ordinary Things and Unordinary Grace

I have lots of memories of my mom throwing a hissy fit and then suddenly snapping out of it to answer the phone with the sweetest "hello?" anyone could muster. I hated that. I strive to be real with my girls.  We have had frequent play dates for the past few weeks, and it's so much easier to be the grace-filled-mom when others are watching. I get why my mom acted that way.

Today, I said no to any social appointments and told the girls we were just going to have a "Me and Audrey and Bethy Day." I wasn't perfect and I know was too emotional for the first part of the day, but we were able to take our time doing a project, relax and watch a tv show while cuddled up, read some books and do some cooking together. 

Our project. Isn't it beautiful and Pinterest-y?!

At the end of the night, I was thinking about how I love the ordinary things about my girls. They don't have to be picture perfect all the time: just spending an ordinary weekday, doing ordinary everyday chores and having ordinary sibling rivalry issues and ordinary preschool attention spans while having ordinary little conversations with them makes me so happy to be their mom. I hope that my type a tendencies don't put too much pressure on them to be something they're not. I want to love them for who they are and enjoy their ordinary weekday selves just as much as I enjoy them when they give their best efforts or have their lowest moments. 

Ordinary day 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haha, just kidding! That's the picture perfect and here's the ordinary: 

Anyway, speaking of low moments, at the end of the day, I was also thinking that I was a lot grumpier than I would have been in the company of others. I was a little harsh when Audrey back talked me this morning. I was probably expecting too much of Bethany when I insisted that she put away the almonds she spilled. I huffed when the girls were making too much noise when I tried to hide in the bathroom for a minute of quiet. Maybe I'm not so good at "being real." Maybe I'm just a grump unless there's someone to show off for. 

And then I overheard my oldest telling my husband that her favorite part of the day was "having the me and mommy and Bethy time today." She said it with her sweet, little four year old sleepy voice. It's the best. Score. 

 

This is only possible because of Jesus. I could be so bitter from my past, but he's somehow miraculously enabled me to have empathy for those who caused past hurts (not a whole, whole lot, but I'm getting there!), given the ability to love and live differently, (because y'all, it was NOT ME who was able to be stuck in the house all day with some crazy wild children and still have a gentle voice when one of them STILL hadn't picked up her toys) and on top of that, he's given me such a precious relationship with my own daughters and let me see how much they love me (which just shows me how much HE loves me). 

 

Sometimes His grace is too much for my little heart. Sometimes sleepy four-year-olds are too.

How To Get Through The Hard Days

A friend of mine posted a question to moms: how do you get through the hard days? I had a day yesterday that I just was not sure I would get through: Bethy was constantly covered in something sticky, Audrey was constantly hungry, and I was constantly needed... and then I got pulled over for rolling through a stop sign in my neighborhood! Seriously?! My kids are so much fun and I love staying home with them, but some days just wear me out and I look like this:

Being a mom is tough, life is even harder, and I can't do it alone. I'm type a with a capital A, so of course I have a list for that! These don't solve all life's problems, but that's ok, because sometimes having problems is good for us! Sometimes my struggles grow me and make me better and bring closer to Jesus and make me lean on Him more. Sometimes I try everything I know how to do and I still end the day by having a good cry and passing out on the bed without brushing my teeth. These are really personal lists, but I thought maybe someone out there could use them as a starting point for their own place to turn on "those" days. 

List 1: What to remember when my attitude is not right

Sometimes I just stop and pray OUT LOUD "God, I need you right now. I'm in a terrible mood and I need help getting out of it. Please change my heart and help me to remember that I'm really here to glorify you by showing your love to others." -or something like that. I want my kids to know that I depend on God and learn that they can cry out to him too when they need to, so I don't pray silently. I also let them listen in to my not-so-desperate prayers and quiet times as well. How also they going to learn how to pray? 

After I pray, I try to remember these things:

How you will feel in 10 min

In 1 year

In 10 years

When the kids leave for college 

I am loved, even when I'm grumpy 

Grace-I've received so much! I want to extend grace to my family

Attitude is more important than anything I need to "do" 

Everything matters. How I talk to my family matters. 

Do not compare yourself to others 

See yourself as good-the way God sees you.

Note: It might sound hokey, but at the risk of being transparent, I also have a list of things that I personally am good at and excel in. Comparing yourself to other moms is a deathtrap and focusing on the positive can change almost anything, from migraines to depression to life expectancy-and it's somethig I need to be better at! God sees me as a his beautiful daughter full of grace and truth and light. It's not because he's living in an alternative reality or because he's confused, but because that's who I really am and how I need to see myself. When I remember who I am and live out of that, my bad attitudes can't stick around for long. 

So..SMILE!!

List 2: Assess your needs (adapted from the book Desperate: hope for the mom who needs to breathe)

1. Sleep

2. Time with Jesus

3. Time with friends 

4. Exercise

5. Practical task help, delegate that to do list

6. Invest in the joy factor, with a comedy, dance, buy some flowers, light a candle, make some art, enjoy a lay in the hammock and stare up at the sky

Note: this list is important because, like a watering can, we can only bless others when we ourselves are full-something that is so easy to forget as a mom!

List 3: Time savers: a list for when I'm overwhelmed

Ouch. 

Make freezer meals by doubling any possible recipe 

Actually cook a freezer meal every now and then

Have a easy meal planned for at least once a week

Use paper plates occasionally 

Do not feel obligated to spend time with Jake after the kids are in bed. It's ok for him to be alone. 

Have a rest time for the kids and myself everyday whether or not they actually nap. 

List ONLY appointments on to do list, absolutely no craft projects 

Limit to do list to three items

No more photography giveaways or LivingSocial deals

Limit sessions to every other week

Keep cleaners and rags in bathroom-wipe down while kids are in bath. 

Limit household shopping: only go when necessary! We don't NEED everything we think we do as soon as we think to put it on the grocery list. 

Have an "errand day" and run all errands only once a week in order of priority. If it doesn't get done on errand day, it'll have to wait until the next one. 

Limit phone/computer time- such a distraction and energy sucker 

Have family clean up time before bed

Set up breakfast/coffeepot the night before 

Cook all meat and chop all veggies for the week at one time

Keep a sink full of soapy water to toss dirty dishes into as you cook

Note: I loathe paper plates. They're so wasteful and expensive and stupid and all the designs are ugly anyway. But, sometimes in this stage of life, my sanity is saved by allowing extra convenience, and it's worth it. Also, ask your husband for ideas on how to save time- men are good at that kind of thing. 

It was good for me to revisit these and I hope they help someone out there get the wheels turning on how they can have fewer bad days, because let's face it-we just don't have enough time for bad days! Aaand now I have to go clean up the entire cup of coffee my 14 month old just spilled all over my white carpet...

Butler Family Adoption Session

To capture this session was truly an honor. I've been photographing sweet, smiling Maddie for a couple of years now and she melts my heart every time. This time, my heart was already melted before the session even started.

 Maddie is being adopted by her grandparents and can you believe it?? They chose me to document this special growth of their family.
 I mean, wow. I'm so humbled that I get to capture so many special moments in my client's lives and this was absolutely one of those times.

 

There's a lot of love going on in this family. What a brave young man, to let his daughter have some special gifts that he may not have been able to otherwise provide. What a selfless sacrifice, for Patrick and Rachel to commit to raising and loving another child.

 

 

So. Much. Love.

 

Thank you, Butler family, for letting me have this small part (which was huge to me!) and letting me see, first hand, how much love is in adoption, and thank you to all of my clients for all the warm-fuzzy-heart-melting you so generously share.

 

Stanfordphotography.photoshelter.com

Going Through the Motions

Yesterday I had one of those "going through the motions" sort of days. I went to work with the mindset of "I'm gonna go in there, get the stuff done, and get out of there." I wasn't thinking about the people that I'm helping (in the background) to see the healing and grace that Christ offers. 

After work, I picked up the kids and ran a bunch of errands. Instead of making the errands fun and interacting with the kids, I was only thinking about what was next on the list and looking at my watch. 

Before I knew it, the day was over and gone and opportunities were missed. It was wasted. I hate days like that! 

I went to bed thinking about how I don't have many days to waste. My days on earth are numbered! In the end, I will regret any day that was spent just running from thing to thing. I need purpose. I need something bigger than my to do list. 

God is bigger. In grace, in reality, in love and in purpose. 

Today is not ordinary. There is nothing in medical science that can make a heart start beating. In open heart surgery, the doctor can do absolutely everything right, but he can't make the new heart work. 

It's a miracle that I'm alive today. 

It's a miracle that I have these two gifts everyday. 

The sun is a giant ball of gas and we're on a giant ball of rock, spinning at a million miles an hour. Today is not ordinary. God has set it all into motion for a reason that's bigger than our tedious day to day. That reason is to make himself known through us, to everyone we come in contact with. The reason is to show His love. And that's what should be the reason behind everything I do. 

I thought about all this before I got out of bed today and asked God to set it so deeply in my heart that no amount of tedious task, no interactions or sink full of dishes, at least for today, can make me forget it. 

He spoke to me there, in His comforting, gentle way, and assured me that even when I forget, things still matter and that He's always there to remind me if I can just go to Him. And just when I thought our conversation was done, I got this in an email: 

Why obey God?

Eph. 6:5-6: Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart (NIV).

Have you ever seen a child who is forced to apologize or say "thank you"? Their rigid posture and monotone voice betrays their real intent. Sometimes our obedience to God takes on a similar tone. It helps to ask ourselves, "Why do I serve the Lord?" Is it to gain His favor, earn His blessings, impress others with our "godliness", or avoid His wrath? Or is it because He commands me to do it?

As we are bombarded with the demands of life on earth, we often lose sight of the eternal perspective. Start your day by recognizing who He is and what He has done. This will help you obey Him not from a robotic sense of duty, but from the overflow of thankfulness that is in your heart. After all, He has already given you the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. This gift was given to you long before you were able to serve Him in any way.

Obey God because you love Him above all things."

I'm so thankful that Jesus made a way for me to speak to God and that He's never far, no matter how distant my mind is. 

It's all about the Baby J, y'all. Our Christmas Advent Activities.

 

I decided to post this since I had a few people ask me about it... but I'm a little afraid of how much crazy I'll be showing the world. I'm really crazy. Oh well.

I did an advent with my then-2.5-year-old last year and she loved it! I think there was something about getting a present every day that was really fun for her obviously, and I liked that we were spending time together every day on a focused activity-I'm really type A like that. So here’s my advent for this year. Some of these are ideas I saw around on the internet, some are things I do every year, and some are just fun little crafts I want to try. It’s a hodge podge. Also, don’t sue me if I stole an idea from you. This was one of my favorite lists: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/253468285251491028/

If your kids are older, or you’re just not feelin’ it the way I am, pick a few favorite activities and start with a 12 days of Christmas advent, or 4 or 5. Whatever floats your boat or finds your lost remote. You can just print out these ideas and use the slips of paper to stick in your calendar, or you can include a little “clue” for what the activity will be.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 tells us to talk about the things of God with our children while we go about our everyday lives. Some of these things on this list are things that I would do during the Christmas season anyway, but I will hope to make them fun for Audrey and use them to teach her more about the things of God.

Another reason I’m doing this advent is that I want to show Audrey how fun Jesus is. I haven't ever really been a fan of Santa, and I read blog here that really put it into I words for me:

“Because honestly? For a five-year-old, how can Jesus compete with Santa? Our children don't have spiritual perspective; when faced with the choice of allegiance, they have a baby in a manger, or they can get a jolly, twinkling, flying character who will bring them presents. This is going to be an easy choice for them.” http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/29/the-christmas-conundrum

I want to make learning about Jesus just as much fun as Santa. This advent may be pretty cheesy, and the clip art DEFINETLY is (email me for the pdf), but hopefully our Advent activities, getting to open a little present/clue every day, spending family time together, and the conversations that will be tied to the activities will do that for her. I want to help Audrey to be in love with Jesus because: y'all, Jesus is awesome.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Parade

John 12:12-17
Read the story of Palm Sunday and talk about how excited everyone was when Jesus was in the parade. We won't see Jesus at this parade, but we can be excited just like the Jewish people were to have him as their king. Talk about the difference between the king of a country and Jesus being the king of our hearts and lives. List of local Chattanooga Parades- They sure do look like fun!! I can’t wait!

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/23963905/christmas-2013-parades-and-festivals
Clue: Small piece of candy

Bethlehem Dinner

Serve a Greek or Mediterranean style menu with roasted fish, Greek salad, and hummus and talk about Jesus' daily life. I have a neat little section in the back of my “The Picture Bible” (GET ONE FOR YOUR KID! It’s the bible in comic book form. I owe my love of scripture to my early years of being obsessed with that bible.) You might have to google some factoids.
Clue: dinner napkin or menorah candle

 

 

Decorate a Door

Rev 3:20
Use colored paper to make a snowman on a white door or on your refrigerator. This one really doesn’t have much to do with Jesus, but I always thought they were cute. It’s a stretch, but you can talk about how Jesus is always knocking on the door of our hearts, and always seeking us out. He’s always after our hearts. Christmas was just part of his plan to get to us. I just love that Divine obsession. Clue: Black paper cut into circles for those two eyes made out of coal

 

 

Nativity Servants

Matt 20:28

Talk about how Jesus came to serve and how he humbled himself and taught us to put others first. A lot of times Jesus would tell people to keep quiet about the miracles he performed for them. Have your family take turns doing an act of service in secret for another family member and leaving the baby Jesus from the nativity behind. Ex: make a bed, leave baby Jesus on the pillow; put away dishes, leave baby Jesus in the silverware drawer. When one member finds the figurine, it is their turn to do an act of service for someone else.
Clue: baby Jesus printable or the figurine from your nativity scene.

 

Gingerbread Nativity

Luke 2:9-14

Make a "gingerbread" nativity instead of a gingerbread house. Use graham crackers for the stable, coconut flakes for hay, marshmallows and licorice sticks to make sheep, sour patch kids and various colored icing for Mary, Joseph, etc. talk about each character's part in the story, why they had to stay in a stable, how that was humble of God to come down to us. Clue: one of the decorating candies

 

 

Treat Someone

Luke 12:14-21

Make a treat for someone you don't know: the cashier at the grocery store or the gas station, someone at the next table in a restaurant, in line in front of you, etc.  Ask your child to find a toy from their own toys to include (you can lead by example and include something from your stash or wallet too) and talk about sacrificing our extras to help others know that they are valued and loved. God gives us our blessings so that we can bless others.
clue: small pack of chocolates or another gift to include.

 

Dad’s Gift

1John 4:7

Make a gift for dad. Handmade gifts are always fun, meaningful and precious-I can't tell you what we're doing here, because I'm afraid I'll ruin his surprise, but browse the internet or Pinterest for handmade card or keepsake ideas or a new recipe that has bacon in it.

 

Grandparent Gifts

John 13:34-35

Make grandparent gifts
Same idea...

 

 

Nutcracker Night

Jer 31:13, Ex 35:31-32

Take your children to see the Nutcracker or another Christmas play. Our local community college has a free or very cheap Christmas play every year.  Talk about dancing before the Lord, how Jesus gives us all different talents and skills and enables us to do them.  Jesus himself was a skilled carpenter and craftsman.
Clue: a small nut

 

Bubbles and Water

Matt 14:22-33

Bundle up and head outside. Play with bubbles, they'll freeze as you blow them if it's under 32. Fill balloons with water and food coloring, leave outside to freeze, and in the morning cut the balloon off to see some big colored "marbles" in your yard. This might be another stretch, but that’s ok! Remember, it’s the everyday things that we’re supposed to be using to talk about God with our kids. Talk about how God has control over all the seasons and how He gives us winter so the earth can rest and to remind us to rest too. His grace allows us to rest and not have to work for our salvation by "being a good person" Ah, that just gets me excited! How great is that?!
Clue: balloons

 

 

Reading Time

Audrey loves reading, so I put this on our list a couple of times. Snuggle up as a family and read a CHRISTmas book. One of my favorites is "What is Christmas?" By: Michelle Adams

 

Reading Fun

Give Thanks

Thes 5:11

Make Christmas cards for family and thank you notes for after Christmas. We draw names in our family for gifts, but this year we'll be giving everyone in our family a little note of encouragement and appreciation.  Clue: crayon to get yo art on.

 

 

Donate Toys/Write to Linda

Luke 3:11

Sort through toys and pick some to donate. Most kids will enjoy helping with this process if you tell them that they are giving to kids who don't have any toys. Talk about how Jesus only gives us things so that we can share them and that everything we have is given to us. This also makes room for all those Christmas presents that you know the grandparents will be loading up your children with! This is one of those things that will get easier the more you do it and talk about it. I hope it keeps getting easier for our family! This is also a good time to pick out a child to be sponsored through Compassion International or World Vision, it’s only $38/month and it provides so many good things and basic needs for kids who are just like your kids! Or if you already sponsor, to write to your child.
Clue: small toy

http://www.compassion.com/

http://www.worldvision.org/m/sponsor-a-child/?campaign=11935117

 

 

 

Paper Snowflakes

Col 1:16

Talk about how much care Jesus took in creating us and made us as special and different as snowflakes! Encourage your family by naming one special thing God created in them. Clue: A paper snowflake

 

 

Winter Walk

Matt 2:1-2
After dark, take a short family walk, looking at the stars. Tell the story of the Wise men and how they followed the special star a long way to see Jesus. Talk about how beautiful the star was and how far the wise men traveled and how badly they must have wanted to see Jesus.

 

 

 

Candlelight Service

Ps 100:1-2
Attend a church's candlelight service, or have one of your own: light some candles and sing Christmas carols together. Take time to ask your kids if they understand the words and be ready to explain their meaning.

 

 

Burning Bright

Drive around to see the Christmas lights. When you get to a dark area, ask your kids what they see. Remind them of all the lights and point out the contrast. Turn on your headlights or bring some flashlights and tell them that we are called to bring light to dark places. We can do this everywhere we go, when we talk about Jesus to others, we bring the light! This is also when we’ll drive through our local live nativity.
Clue: Christmas light bulb

 

Bake a Blessing

Matt 22:34-39

Get in the kitchen and bake some goodies as a family! Deliver them to your neighbors, take them to a cookie exchange, let your kids take them to their friends at school, or all of the above. Jesus said that loving your neighbor as yourself was one of the most important commandments. When you give unexpected gifts to others, you show the love of Jesus, who always made people feel loved and thought of others above Himself.

 

 

Ornament Making

Ps 139:13

We’ve been making an ornament every year with our family picture. This year, I got a little paintable wooden one in the craft section at wal-mart, but you can do pretty much any ornament craft and still have a good conversation about it. After painting your ornament, talk about how much work you put in to them. Look at your hands and consider how much God put thought, care and intentionality God put into making you.

 

 

 Chocolate Pajamas

 Galatians 5:22

After the kids have pjs on and go through their bedtime routine, surprise them with a trip to Starbucks or to the kitchen for a hot chocolate. Talk about how God gives us joy and gifts and has good plans for us that sometimes we can't see until the end. He always comes through. He is always faithful. Take this opportunity to share with your kids about how much joy you get from them. Clue: $10 bill or a pack of hot choc mix

 

 

Christmas Camping

Acts 2:42-47

Have a family “camping” trip in the living room. Eat finger foods on blankets for a “picnic,” watch a movie, make shadow puppets, light a fire in the fireplace. Talk about how the early church had everything in common and shared everything they had with each other. You could even eat goldfish crackers or fish sticks like they would have eaten together. Clue: small flashlight

 

 

Birthday Bash

Make a red velvet cake (symbolizing Jesus's blood )with white icing (symbolizing our righteousness though salvation) and light candles, have a few simple decorations. You don’t have to go all out: just pull out a different tablecloth and let the kids tape up some streamer. Talk about why we celebrate Christmas and how it was important that God became a man so that he could pay the penalty that man owed for sin. If your kids are little, they might not fully understand, but the more you talk about it, the easier it will be for you to explain and for them to wrap their brains around-and don’t worry, it’s really the holy spirit’s job to help them understand it and get it in their hearts. Clue: strands of streamer

 

 

Lights, Camera, Christmas

Make a blanket tent to act as a stable and make simple costumes out of sheets etc. and act out the nativity story. Video it and let the kids watch it-over and over again. Like they do. Be sure to have a narrator to move the story along. Clue: clothespin to pin up  blankets

 

Dollar Tree Shopping Spree

Mark 12:41-43
Take your kids to the dollar tree toy section and leave $1 bills and little notes that say "Merry Christmas! Treat yourself to an extra toy and enjoy this random act of kindness! Jesus loves you!" Talk about how even inexpensive things can bless others. Remind your kids that Jesus wants us to be like the widow and give all that we can give, not just our money, but our whole lives.
Clue: dollar bills with notes

 

The Best Present

On Christmas morning, explain how Jesus is the best gift that we can receive. The hard part for me will be actually following up with this with my words instead of saying "Hey, look at what I got you!" and sending them the opposite message by putting emphasis on material things. Tricky stuff.

 

Alrighty, those are all my cheesy ideas. Let me know if you guys have any new ideas I can use next year or in any following years-I'd love to hear them! Hope you guys have a very Merry Christmas no matter how you celebrate the season!