I am big on Christmas traditions - it is a wonderful time to tell and tell and tell about God's love for us and His gift of Jesus. So much symbolism in Christmas (yes, even in Christmas trees and candy canes).
Our tree is now up and we are ready to start our Jesse Tree advent on Sunday using Ann Voskamp's The Greatest Gift (I'm kind of a big fan of Ann's writings; highly recommend her book One Thousand Gifts [I've just reread it recently], and her blog).
I loved this webcast on having a sane and sacred Christmas (watch it in the evening instead of tv one night?). There is a great explanation of what a Jesse Tree is at 36:24 if you don't have time to watch the whole webcast.
And I am looking forward to doing our Christmas shopping for Jesus with the kids using Gospel for Asia's and Christian Blind Mission's Christmas gift catalogues. (We don't buy these on our loved one's behalf instead of gifts - we buy them as gifts purely for Jesus, to celebrate His 'birthday'; the accompanying gift cards are opened and read on Christmas Day as our gifts to Him).
The 6th of December is Saint Nicholas Day. Voice of the Martyrs has a great book about who he is.
This is such a wonderful time of the year to really teach our children about God's love, and His gift of Jesus - and all that that means for us. Let us be intentional about celebrating with our children and teaching them what it is all about. The Christmas Story is romantic, and it is part of a bigger love story that started at the beginning of time.
* Christmas star topper and nativity set from Oxfam (highly recommend the Nativity Set - only $34.95, fair trade / ethically made, non-toxic and sustainable wood source)
* Koorong stocks both of Ann's books. Duck out and get The Greatest Gift to follow this Christmas? Jesse tree ornaments can be downloaded from her website, or you can make your own.
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