But wait. Everyone? No, sadly not everyone. In this day and age, many people ignore what that day really stands for. They do not acknowledge it and do not teach their children about it at all.
Those of us that do, can create our own ways of getting ready for December 25th, and teach our children about Jesus and giving to others who are in need at this time of year.
It is with that in mind that I bring today's post, something that you can do with your children through out the year to honor Jesus, and give to that someone who is in need.
It starts by picking up some simple and yet everyday items that we use everyday. Collecting through out the year, soap, toothpaste and brushes, combs and brushes, mittens, deodorant, are just a few of those things that are needed. Keep them in a box plainly marked, A Gift From Jesus. During the Christmas Season, wrap them all in a box with bright paper, and tied with a bow. Attach a card that tells that it is a gift from Jesus, and then close to the 25th, donate it to someone in need. Perhaps a shelter for the homeless, or the family down the street that you know has been struggling this year, due to the pandemic.
Maybe you will want to include a Bible, a child's story book of the birth of Christ, or other resources that will encourage them to think about what the season is really about.
There are lots of ideas about teaching your kids about the birth of Christ, whether Santa Claus is part of your celebrations or not.
Years ago, another staff employee and I were taking a group of women that lived in a group home that we worked at, to see the Christmas lights. We would pass homes where there were lit nativity scenes in yards. Bonnie said to me that they should not have Baby Jesus in those nativities. I was shocked. What was a nativity scene without the Baby Jesus? She then said, that he shouldn't be there yet, because he hadn't been born yet and should be placed there on Christmas morning.
She had caught me off guard, but thankfully she was not taking him out completely, but I had to agree. He wasn't supposed to be there until Christmas morning.
Perhaps you could sit up a nativity scene in your home, and place Baby Jesus there on Christmas morning as you read to the children the story of his birth. Or, even use the whole nativity for that purpose that morning, having the children place each piece in it, as you read. It can bring the bible story a bit more to life for them, if they can have a actual part of it.
There are many ways that you can add Jesus to your celebrations this year, and many of them can be found on Pinterest. I encourage you to go there and check them out.
Because of all things, Jesus should not be left out of his his own birth.
Because remember....
Thanks for coming, Friends Until next time, God bless!
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