I celebrate Jesus Christ.
This year for Christmas, I want our family's celebrations to teach of Christ. Here is my vision.
The day after Thanksgiving, my children were excited to decorate for Christmas. So we pulled up our two totes of decorations. As we carefully consider what to put out we discuss how it reminds of Christ.
Most of our decorations are nativities. One for each room. A couple that the young children can play with. We put away the regular toy basket to make a place for the Christ Child. Janey, 1 year, has loved wrapping up our baby boy doll and putting him in the manger. "Jesus" is one of about 5 words in her vocabulary.
Lights on the front porch symbolize that Christ is the light of the world.
We hung stockings on the mantle, sharing the story of Saint Nicolas throwing money through the window of a poor family, and it landing in a stocking. His desire to serve and live like Jesus is worth emulating. We also talked about the Secret Santa that our ward does for needy families and how it is a chance for us to do what St. Nicolas did.
All the lights on our fake tree were dying last year, so we got rid of it. We have never had a real tree before, but this year we made a switch. We actually, opted for a living Christmas tree, that we will plant in the spring. This fit well into our new found love of growing things. The evergreen tree symbolizes everlasting life, given to us by our Savior.
We decorated the tree with strung popcorn, we had just read about that in Man of the Family by Ralph Moody, and our children wanted to try it. The white represents Christ's purity, and that we can be made clean through baptism and repentance.
We have a star on top to represent the new star that signified Christ's birth.
There is a red cloth draped under the tree, to signify the blood of Christ, that he shed in our behalf.
We sing and listen to Christmas carols in honor of the choir of heavenly hosts who announced Christ's birth to the shepherds.
Our read aloud stories this month are about Christmas. We just finished A Christmas Carol, and I found much of Christ in it, and laughed at my own narrow-mindedness of the past.
We are teaching our children that Santa Clause, and all the wonderful stories and traditions that have evolved around him, come from those who want to live like the Savior and "sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." Luke 22:18. In this light we are not asking for gifts, (i.e. lists for Santa) but focusing on what we can give. If Santa visits, it is because there are good people in the world trying to live as Christ did. We hope each of our children will become excited about doing the same.
Our Christmas is simple this year. I am choosing not to go to all the parties, not to spend much time at stores or pouring over catalogs and searching online. I am thinking more of homemade gifts and service, or gifts that remind of Jesus Christ: His gospel, His way of living, how we can become like Him, how we can prepare for Him to come again.
I really do want to celebrate the birth, life, mission, atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and write of Christ that my children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins, for healing from pain, for strength beyond their own, for guidance and truth, for happiness and hope.
This year for Christmas, I want our family's celebrations to teach of Christ. Here is my vision.
The day after Thanksgiving, my children were excited to decorate for Christmas. So we pulled up our two totes of decorations. As we carefully consider what to put out we discuss how it reminds of Christ.
Most of our decorations are nativities. One for each room. A couple that the young children can play with. We put away the regular toy basket to make a place for the Christ Child. Janey, 1 year, has loved wrapping up our baby boy doll and putting him in the manger. "Jesus" is one of about 5 words in her vocabulary.
Lights on the front porch symbolize that Christ is the light of the world.
All the lights on our fake tree were dying last year, so we got rid of it. We have never had a real tree before, but this year we made a switch. We actually, opted for a living Christmas tree, that we will plant in the spring. This fit well into our new found love of growing things. The evergreen tree symbolizes everlasting life, given to us by our Savior.
We decorated the tree with strung popcorn, we had just read about that in Man of the Family by Ralph Moody, and our children wanted to try it. The white represents Christ's purity, and that we can be made clean through baptism and repentance.
We have a star on top to represent the new star that signified Christ's birth.
There is a red cloth draped under the tree, to signify the blood of Christ, that he shed in our behalf.
We sing and listen to Christmas carols in honor of the choir of heavenly hosts who announced Christ's birth to the shepherds.
Our read aloud stories this month are about Christmas. We just finished A Christmas Carol, and I found much of Christ in it, and laughed at my own narrow-mindedness of the past.
We are teaching our children that Santa Clause, and all the wonderful stories and traditions that have evolved around him, come from those who want to live like the Savior and "sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." Luke 22:18. In this light we are not asking for gifts, (i.e. lists for Santa) but focusing on what we can give. If Santa visits, it is because there are good people in the world trying to live as Christ did. We hope each of our children will become excited about doing the same.
Our Christmas is simple this year. I am choosing not to go to all the parties, not to spend much time at stores or pouring over catalogs and searching online. I am thinking more of homemade gifts and service, or gifts that remind of Jesus Christ: His gospel, His way of living, how we can become like Him, how we can prepare for Him to come again.
I really do want to celebrate the birth, life, mission, atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and write of Christ that my children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins, for healing from pain, for strength beyond their own, for guidance and truth, for happiness and hope.
Emily, thank you for your good example and for teaching me so much!!
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