This year for my daughter's 7th birthday, we celebrated by having a Tea Party. Since her birthday falls in December we have a myriad of themes to choose from, but for ease sakes, I selected a Christmas theme. To get conversation rolling when we sat at the table, we did some introductions. I had the girls say their names, list how they knew Ruth (because we had girls from school, an old church, and then a cousin), and what they most looked forward to this Christmas (their favorite part). As I listened to the answers, my heart sighed. 2 girls mentioned family (YAY!) 5 girls mentioned presents. (typical) But only ONE girl mentioned Jesus. I know they are children, but I have to step back and ask myself, what have I done to personally make sure my children know the 'reason for the season'? Ruth was a present lover while Lydia was one of the two who mentioned family (the other was my adult sister who came along for the fun!). A little disappointing....
This birthed the idea of creating together, as a family, an advent calendar. Not just any ole calendar, but a special calender. It's going to incorporate a bible story, mostly about the birth of Christ, and an ornament they get to hang on the tree. I got this special idea from another blogger online, so I cannot take the credit, but it is my idea to throw in the bible verse. Every year we all visit Santa, hang up Christmas decorations and lights, decorate our trees, but what other traditions do we instill on our children, that emphasize the importance, the real reason, we celebrate Christmas? Last year, as a family we really focused on the true meaning. Each weekend we went some place special where we would watch or see the story of Jesus' birth, in that little town of Bethlehem. We went to a church in Noblesville where we re-inacted the census, and walked down the streets of Bethlehem, and visited the markets. We even visited the Inn where a babe was wrapped in clothing and lying in a manger. Another day during that month, we went to a church in the evening and rode down a long road where scenes from the Bible came alive outside our car windows. The narrative CD we received driving onto the lot, told the story of Jesus' birth as we looked outside our windows and watched a reenactment. This was really cool. We did things like this every weekend in the weeks leading up to Christmas to really drive home the point that Jesus was the gift. the reason WE celebrate.
So you can understand a little of my disappointment. Right now in Sunday School my children are learning again about birth of Jesus. It's fresh in their minds. But I have to think, between the hustle and bustle, the excellent marketing, and the decorations, this message we send about presents and such comes from some where. Does it begins with me? This advent calendar is another way I can share with my children why we celebrate. The meaning of Christmas can really get 'lost' in even our best intentions. So my goal is to be very intentional. After all, more of anything is more.
I'm very much looking forward to the advent calendar. It's something different we can do as a family that is very traditional, yet geared in preparing even the littlest of hearts, in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. I'm going to share with you the verses we're reading in hopes that maybe through even the littlest of ways (my blog) you too can share the meaning of Christmas with you and yours.
December 8 - Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no wrod from God will ever fail."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.
Thank you Father for sending your son. Thank you for the gift you've given all of us. Help us not lose sight of Him over the next few weeks. We celebrate you, Jesus. Prick our hearts to see you and be you to those around us this Christmas. Help us live this Holiday season intentionally. Amen
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