A Christmas Gift for Daddy

December 23, 2012 By

It’s too late.  If you haven’t finished Christmas shopping for your husband, your time is up. Oh, you could fight the crowds, pray for a parking spot, wait in line, and buy him … a bag of jerky, but that’s not really what he wants.

On Christmas day, a mom can give her main man what he wants most:  her respect. Christmas can become so focused on the children that a dad can feel like a toy dancing Santa … fun at first, but then only good to be put in a corner and ignored. Add in some holiday-inspired sarcasm from the love of his life, and he might feel like he belongs on the Island of Misfit Toys. Isle of Misfit Toys-001

Moms long to make the holidays magical and meaningful, the crowning glory of the family year. If an enthusiastic mama isn’t careful, she may be so wrapped up in adding a “crown” to the family scrapbook that she fails to be the crown of her husband.

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4).

When mom respects dad, children follow.

A dad has the potential to simply become the last one out of bed, the guy who bags up the wrapping paper, the one who lights the fire, or the one who reads the verses.  But he has the potential to be treated as so much more than that, and he should be.

  • Train your children to “thank Daddy” for their gifts, so they see the earthly expression of James 1:17.
  • Serve Daddy first at your holiday meal, to honor him; engage your kids in serving him, too.
  • Verbalize what’s in your heart, and let your kids hear: “I love to hear Daddy read the Christmas story.”
  • Whatever your abundance, affirm your man with words: “Thank you for working so hard for our family.”
  • Resist being preoccupied with preparations; stop and touch your man with a lingering hug or a kiss.

If we will give our husbands the gift of respect on Christmas day, our children will follow.

So there. You don’t have to fight that crowd, parallel park, or decide between Teriyaki or Spicy Buffalo jerky.  You already have what will fill the heart of your husband with comfort and joy!

Is there a time in your Christmas day when your husband “shines?”

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He Came!

December 20, 2012 By

I grieve when I fail the Lord, when my obedience lacks its first response.

But then I remember it was for failures that Christ graced a rough-hewn manger. It was for failures that He breathed His last earthly breath as He hung in disgrace for the failings of the world.

It was to a failure, one who penned the precious psalms that touch our hearts in time of need and, yet, as a man after God’s own heart, sinned and ripped apart his fellowship with the Lord, then repented and repaired it.

It was to a failure, one who had denied Christ three times, that the command of “feed My sheep” was given.

It was to a failure that Jesus gave His first greeting in the Garden of Gethsemane on that initial Easter morn.

It was to a failure who had been the foremost despiser of believers yet became one of the greatest servants of the Gospel, the Lord blessing his ministry and his writings for all time.

I think, no, I know my greatest failure is to not give the Christ-child a place to live in my heart, in my circumstances, in all my life.

He came…

As Mary lovingly swaddled the future Sacrifice of the world, she placed Him in a trough, and there, the miracle of the manger took place: the empty manger, the vessel cradling the tiny body of mankind’s salvation, became full – full of love, full of expectation, full of holiness, and full of humanity.

With only the joyous display of heavenly praises from angels, He came, confined by the boundaries of time and limitations of a physical body.

…for failures, He came. For me, He came. For you, He came.

But where does He go to be born and live today? In the hearts of believers.

“How silently, how silently the wondrous Gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.”

(Third verse of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”)

Have you offered the manger of your heart to cradle the birth of the Babe of salvation? Or are you as the innkeeper, turning away the Savior of the world, telling Him that you have no room for Him, that your “inn” is full? Do you then miss the miracle of the manger?

God still seeks His mangers…hearts willing to hold Him. For you…



lynnmosher.com

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Gift of Grace

December 19, 2012 By

Nine years ago marks one of the most difficult, yet most important Christmases in my life.  It would become a Christmas that would change my life and how I celebrate the birth of Jesus.

In October, we had found out we were having another baby.  This baby would be our ninth child and we were just as excited as if it were our first.  However, our excitement changed to sorrow when we found out two months later we would never see this baby come full term.  We later found out I had a virus that attacked my sweet baby and I miscarried at 12 weeks.  This was my first miscarriage.  It was an experience I never wanted to have.  I wept and mourned for this sweet baby I would never nurse at my breast or rock to sleep.  Our whole family was devastated.

My body began the process it was created to do when a baby dies in the womb and this made mourning even worse as the pain of contractions and the bleeding continued.  Christmas morning came and all the excitement of opening gifts with our children was in full swing.  As I sat on the floor helping to open boxes and unfasten baby dolls from the boxes I suddenly felt excruciating pain run through my abdomen.  I immediately got up and went to the bathroom and realized my body was at the peak of expelling my dead baby.  I sat in the bathroom weeping, not from the pain, but from the reality that my baby was in fact dead and this was happening on Christmas Day. My Christmas was ruined now!

“Lord God!” I cried out, “Why would you let this happen today?  It is bad enough you took my baby, but why would you take my baby from my body today? Today is supposed to be a happy, joyful day!  But here I am in horrible pain as my body gets rid of my baby.  Why God! Why?”

Right there in my bathroom the Holy Spirit began to minister to my broken heart.  Right there, he spoke gently to my aching soul.

“Your Heavenly Father knows your pain.  He sees your tears.  He hears your cries. He sent His only son to die for you. His only son was born to die so you could live.”

My tears didn’t dry up, they only flowed more.

“Oh my God, your love is so overwhelming! I can’t understand”

Suddenly the real truth of Christmas flooded my soul like my tears had flooded my eyes.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus, but his birth marked the beginning of his death and our life. His birth was glorious and miraculous and should be celebrated, but in the midst of our celebration we often forget why he was born…so he could die.  We get so caught up in the worldly way of celebrating we forget what we really should celebrate…his death and resurrection.

Because of our sin, Christ became man so he could die and make eternal life possible for us.  It is all because of us.  He was beaten and hung on a cross because of my disgusting sin.  He rose on the third day because he loves me!  Even now, I truly cannot grasp this.  I don’t understand how he can love me so deeply when my sin is so great!

I healed from my miscarriage and we were excited to find out early in the next year we would have another baby.  Kaylin Grace was born in November.  Her middle name is a reminder to me of the grace given to me during the miscarriage and after.  She knows a baby died in mommy’s tummy before she was born and knows she might not be here if that baby had lived. “I don’t like that your baby died, but I’m glad that I am here.” she says.

I can still picture my unborn baby playing at the feet of Jesus.  Even though I still wish I could have held him, I am thankful the Lord used him to remind me of why we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate his grace given to us.

God’s grace was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.  His Grace was worshiped by shepherds and sought out by wise men.  His Grace walked and talked with sinners and healed many.  His Grace loved the unlovable and forgave the unforgivable.  His Grace became a man, experienced everything a man would experience and suffered persecution that would break even the strongest man. God’s grace was beaten to the point of death and hung on a rugged wooden cross, naked for all to see. His Grace died a human death but rose a Heavenly resurrection. Because of His Grace, we have life.  His Grace is a gift to us and that is why we celebrate Christmas.

By: Dana Bailey

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Praying Cards

December 12, 2012 By

My little family has lived in three different states. Minnesota, California, Minnesota again, and Colorado.  Every time we have moved it’s  been hard to say goodbye to the friends we made and the places we’ve grown to love.

So… getting Christmas cards at our home is a big deal.  

We love hearing from our friends and catching up with their family news. It’s so fun to look at the pictures and see how the kids have grown (not how the parents have aged!).  Sadly, another Christmas approaches and we find we haven’t communicated with these special people in the interim.

Each year I resolve to do better but time happens at warp speed. That isn’t an excuse-just reality. Mine and my friends. Probably yours, too. ( I hold on to the thought that we will have eternity to be together. Then I feel a little better about it.)

As Christmas comes to a close and the card arrivals less frequent ( I do have some friends that have sent Christmas greetings on Valentine’s Day!) I put everything away EXCEPT for those Christmas cards.  I’m not a hoarder. Let me explain.

We use the cards for prayer.

Beginning in January, at dinnertime, each family member picks one Christmas card from the pile. Then we go around the table and pray for each family chosen that evening. The prayed for cards then go in a separate pile. We continue this until all the families represented by cards have been prayed over.

In the prayed for pile I usually extract the family picture cards and put them in an album. The front of the beautiful folded printed cards, I give to my mom. She uses those to make gift tags.  As it turns out, those cards can have many uses!

It is a joy to hear from friends and a privilege to pray for them.

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 1:3

What are your family traditions?

By,

Lori Wildenberg

 We’re Linked up at:

 

 This Really Got Me Link-up at Rethinking My Thinking

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Ways to Help Your Children Focus on Christ at CHRISTmas

December 11, 2012 By

Can you imagine if it was your birthday and a friend offered to give a birthday dinner in your honor?

You pull your car up the driveway and there are lights with your husband’s name on them.  Arriving at the front door, you’re greeted with a wreath welcoming a neighbor.  When you get inside, the whole house is decorated with pictures of the host’s favorite musician.  When the birthday cake is brought out, it has someone else’s name on it. Gifts are given to another person, not you.  Happy birthday is sung with someone else’s name.  As you leave, the host gives you a pat on the back and says, “Oh, Happy Birthday. I hope you enjoyed your party.”  You leave wondering why she called it your birthday party. It clearly wasn’t.

I can’t help but wonder if that is how Christ might feel with the heavy emphasis on Santa Claus, Elfie, and reindeer.

I can’t help but ask the following questions:

  • Why not fill the boughs of our Christmas tree with nativities, angels, bells, and lights that honor Christ?  Otherwise, why not call it a Santatree?
  • Why not excite our children’s minds with the true story of Luke 2:1-14 and how Jesus came from heaven and angels sang rather than repeatedly repeating how Santa rides through the sky with reindeer?
  • Why not tell our children how the wise men followed a star to find Jesus and when they did, they gave Him gifts; that gift-giving is in honor of Jesus’ birth?
  • Why not fill our children’s minds with the truth that Jesus can be anywhere all at one time and can appear through closed doors…just like Santa and even better?
  • Are our children and grandchildren as aware and excited about celebrating Je
    sus’s birth as they are Santa Claus? If not, what could we do to point them to Christ this Christmas?

EXCITE YOUR KIDS with FACTS about JESUS

What Kids Are Told About Santa: Are We Telling Our Kids the Following About Jesus?
Sees you when you’re sleeping Sees you when you’re sleeping
Knows when you’re awake Knows when you’re awake
Knows if you’ve been bad or good Knows if you’ve been bad or good
Able to appear through closed doors Able to appear through closed doors
Has innumerable gifts to give Has innumerable gifts to give
Has the message, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night” Has the message, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Never dies Never dies
Has magical power Has supernatural power
Elves work for him Angels work for him
Has reindeer that fly through the sky Has myriads of angels that fly through the heavens
Loves children Loves children
Knows our name Knows our name
Invites children to come and talk to him Invites children to come and talk to Him
Is man made Is God made – is God!

SING SONGS about JESUS

Look over the following list of songs. Do your children know more songs about Santa or about Jesus?  Which might you teach your children to direct their hearts to Christ’s birth?

Santa   Jesus
Jingle Bells   Joy to the World
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer   Angels We Have Heard on High
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth   We Three Kings
Santa Baby   Away in a Manger
Jolly Old Saint Nick   Joy to the World
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus   Mary, Did You Know
Jingle Bell Rock   Silent Night
Here Comes Santa Claus   Oh Holy Night

 

TELL “TWAS the NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME” 

Which story can you recite by heart?  How might you read the Christmas story with more enthusiasm and excitement to capture your children’s attention?

Santa                         Jesus
Twas the Night Before Christmas                       The Birth of Jesus, Luke 2:1-4

 

DECORATE to HONOR CHRIST

Santa Decorations                Jesus Birthday Decorations
Sleigh bells   Bells on Priest’s Garments, Exodus 39:25-26
Reindeer   Angels, Luke 2:13-14
Santa give gifts to good little boys and girls   God gives us His Son.John 3:16.Wise men gave gifts to Jesus.  Matthew 2:11
Rudolph’s red nose guides Santa’s sleigh   Star guided wise men to Jesus, Matthew 2:9   JJesus is the Light guiding us to God, John 8:12
The North Pole   The Nativity, Luke 2:7

 

IMPLEMENT TRADITIONS that HONOR CHRIST

  • Make a birthday cake with Jesus’ name on it and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
  • Read the Christmas story before opening presents.
  • Set up nativities and let your children act out the CHRISTmas story.
  • Wrap presents in paper that has Christ-centered symbols – angels, the manger, stars, etc.

I wonder how Jesus would feel if He came to our house on Christmas Eve or day.  Would our home be decorated in His honor?  Would our children know Christ centered songs? Would they be fascinated and excited to visit with Jesus? If not, perhaps it’s because we haven’t yet given them the vision of the true all powerful One whose birth we celebrate.

How do you keep the focus on Christ in Christmas?

I’d love to hear from you!

In Christ’s Joy,  Debbie

Spreading the Word and Love of God

*Excerpts from “PREPARING OUR HEARTS for CHRISTMAS”  by Debbie Taylor Williams

 

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Have a Merry Marriage & The TMI Monday Link Up!

December 9, 2012 By

A lot of work in decking the halls falls to Mom. A mother’s list is long when counting to Christmas, and it isn’t unheard of for there to be a casualty during the 12 (just 12?) days of Christmas. Does someone named “husband” feel like there’s no room for him in the inn this time of year?

Honestly, would your husband say your marriage is very merry in December? Would you?

While tackling gift lists, baking cookies, signing cards, and attending parties, a wife might feel like she only has time for her man when it’s time to hang the lights on the tree or pay off the credit card. In this season of peace on earth, shouldn’t we savor peace at home in our marriages? After all, Jesus came so that we could receive life and receive it abundantly (John 10:10). What better way to show God’s gift to mankind than in a joy-filled, peaceful marriage?

Even during the holidays, “It is not good that the man should be alone (Genesis 2:18a). It’s a truth that’s a little like fruitcake; it never expires! If a mother isn’t careful, she might find herself writing her own version of the classic marriage passage to say, “Therefore all year, except for Christmastime, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh eleven months out of the year” (Genesis 2:24, ital. mine).

As you celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, you can enjoy the gift of a very Merry Marriage!

7 tips for a Merry Marriage

  1. Spend time thinking about gifts for your man, not just your kids.
  2. Be a joy to “hold fast” to, available emotionally and physically.
  3. Wear something festive “in private.”
  4. Holidays create challenges in “leaving” families of origin; be unified.
  5. Christmas divas are on the naughty list; be easy going & to please.
  6. Show love by staying within your mutually agreed on gift budget.
  7. When you go to a company party, make him glad you’re on his arm!

So if the last time you and your guy cozied up was when you posed for that family Christmas card, it’s time to make a new to-do list:

Photobucket

  1. Buy mistletoe and hang it in your home.
  2. Turn off all tech.
  3. Get kids ready for bed.
  4. Stand under mistletoe with your man.
  5. Grab your man and lay one on him!
  6. Tell your man he’s a precious gift in your life.
  7. Put kids in their own beds to dream of dancing sugar plums.

Have a very Merry Marriage this Christmas!

By Julie Sanders at Come Have a Peace

We’re linked up at: The Better Mom, New Equus-New Creation, The Life of Faith

 

 

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Preparing Your Child’s Heart for Christmas

December 3, 2012 By

by Debbie Taylor Williams

I will never forget when I was a child and my Sunday School teacher challenged my class to memorize the Christmas story found in Luke 2:1-14.

What seemed a daunting task became manageable as my mother helped me memorize one small section at a time. 

“And it came to pass”    

                            “in those days”    

                                               ”there went out a decree”

Each year since then, I read the Christmas story and cherish its words hidden in my heart.

One year, when my children, Taylor and Lauren, asked what they could give me for Christmas, I told them the best gift would be for them to memorize Luke 2:1-14.

You can imagine the looks on their faces!  And their responses.  ”Mom!  Come on.  What do you really want?”  “Nothing,” I replied.

“There’s got to be something.  A candle?” Taylor suggested.  “No.”

“Bubble bath?” Lauren offered.  “No.  All I want is for you to memorize the Christmas story.”

My wish came true.  

On Christmas morning Taylor and Lauren recited the Christmas story.  Although they didn’t know it at the time, my request was also a gift to them.  There are few treasures greater than God’s Word hidden in our hearts.

 

Although “The Night Before Christmas,” may be read in homes across America more often than Luke 2:1-14, it can never compare with the true meaning of Christmas: the celebration of Christ’s birth.      

This year, why not begin a new tradition?  Help your children or grandchildren memorize the Christmas story and recite it every year.  Let the true meaning of Christmas dwell in your heart and your children’s hearts.

                                      Luke 2:1-14

And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  And this taxing was first done when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David),  to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.  6  And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you:  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

 

Excerpt from Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas. Christmas symbols, plants, traditions, poems, devotions, and ways to share Jesus, by Debbie Taylor Williams.
Debbie is the author of numerous books and Bible studies including The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World: How to Raise Faithful Kids in a Flawed World. She is mom to two married adult children, Taylor and Lauren, who love and follow the Lord. She is Mimi to three grandchildren, whom she will no doubt, help memorize the Christmas story.  You can learn more about Debbie and her ministry at www.debbietaylorwilliams.com.

 

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A Holiday-Ready Heart

October 21, 2012 By

Maybe November and December are your two favorite months of the year.

Perhaps preparing for, living through, and cleaning up after the holidays don’t phase you in the least.

You may have your Christmas shopping all done, your cards ready to mail, and your menus completely planned.

If these are true for you, then The PURSE-onality Challenge “A Holiday-Ready Heart” is not designed for you. (But please join us anyhow and give us your best advice!)

However, if you…        

  • dread dragging out the holiday decorations…
  • wonder how what should be “the best of times” often ends up being “the worst of times”…
  • wish you could hibernate from October 30 ’til January 1…
  • become overwhelmed by the commercialized chaos that tries to overtake your life in December…
  • cringe just thinking about spending yet another holiday with certain people…
  • feel like a failure because you never seem able to do everything “just right” for the holidays…
  • have an over-full calendar already (and the invitations haven’t even started coming!)
  • wonder how on earth you’re going to afford everything this season…
  • miss loved ones more than ever during the holidays…
  • want to focus on the real reason for the season…

…then you’re invited to join The PURSE-onality Challenge: “A Holiday-Ready Heart – 31 days of intentionally pray-paring for the most peace-full, joyous, family-focused, meaning-filled holy-days we can possibly have!

For some, this may take just a slight tweak. For others, this will require a serious overhaul of how we approach the holidays in our hearts.

Each day, we’ll examine an issue that often triggers holiday “baditude.” We’ll discuss how to maximize our own purse-onality strengths and intentionally meet the purse-onality needs of those we love. And we’ll plan ahead to be already meditating on God’s word and gratitude when the holidays roll around this year!

Join us for “A Holiday-Ready Heart” if you…

  • …want to do more than just “go through the motions” this season.
  • …long to focus on the true Reason for the season!
  • …desire peace on earth and goodwill toward others this Christmas!

Check out our website and Facebook page for the nitty-gritty details!

You’ll also find four free PURSE-onality audio messages:

plus a free e-Book: Top 10 Priceless Gifts that Don’t Cost a Dime for Each PURSE-onality!

 

Your Turn:  What are a few of your favorite things about the upcoming holidays?  Least favorite?  Family traditions?

 

Cheri Gregory has been married to her pastor/teacher/musician college sweetheart, Daniel, for 24 years. The Gregorys are enjoying their newly “re-emptied nest” now that Jonathon (19) and Annemarie (21) are back in college.

Cheri is a high school English teacher and Christian speaker/author. Connect with her via Facebook, cheri@cherigregory.com, and www.CheriGregory.com.

Monday M.O.M. Initiative Link Up

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25 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

November 25, 2011 By

Do you want your family to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas but need some ideas on how you can focus on Christ this Christmas?

Family holiday traditions are an important part of our lives but during this most wonderful time of the year, it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of it all that we forget to leave precious imprints of this special time together on their hearts.

Below are 25 creative and fun ways to keep Christ in Christmas while you create treasured traditions with your family. You may not be able to do all of them but you may see a few things you and your children can do to start some new Christmas traditions.

1. Place a large manger scene in your living room instead of a tree. Place your gifts in front of the manger.

2. Ornaments with the various names and titles of Jesus on them. (You can create your own & make it a family time craft event.)

3. Throughout the month of December, read the Bible with your family at dinnertime and focus on passages that teach who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

4. Teach your children of Jesus’ sacrificial love by taking them shopping for those who are unable to give anything in return.

5. Determine to give a tangible gift to Jesus. Put it in a box, wrap it and put it under the tree. On Christmas day, explain why you are giving that particular gift to Jesus.

6. Give the gift of time to a particular ministry to show the love of Jesus. (A homeless shelter, a children’s home, a hospital, ect…)

7. Hold a birthday party for Jesus. (To avoid possible confusion later, you may want to be sure to tell your children it’s not the actual “day” of His birth, but a time we celebrate Him.)

8. Invite a widow or someone who is alone to spend Christmas with your family.

9. Create a family Christmas play. Practice throughout November & December. Put out flyers in your neighborhood and do the
play in your front lawn on Christmas eve.

10. Play “Jesus” Christmas music all month long.

11. Organize a group to go caroling during Christmas.

12. Do random acts of giving in Jesus name. (Pay for the person’s meal behind you, rake the neighbor’s lawn, ect…)

13. Take food to a family in need.

14. Buy some gifts and take to the hospital to give to those who are in long term or critical care.

15. Put a play on or sing Christmas carols at a local nursing home.

16. Help your children earn money to buy gifts for Operation Christmas Child or a local children’s home.

17. Help your children earn money to give to a missionary.

18. Help your children earn money to buy gifts for a missionary child on the field.

19. Organize a coat round-up for a homeless shelter near you.

20. Make or purchase gifts to give to your neighbors. Especially the ones you are trying to reach for Christ.

21. Bake goodies for your neighbors, family and friends.

22. Make your indoor and outdoor decorations reflect that Jesus really is the reason for the season.

23. Help your church collect gifts for a family in need.

24. Send Christmas gifts and cards to the families of prisoners.

25. Share Jesus with as many people as you can between now and Christmas.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. It’s the time the world is reminded that God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son so we could spend eternity with Him. It’s the time we reflect on the earthly life of Christ…from the cradle to the cross. It’s the time we celebrate Jesus and all that He is and all He has done.

What are some of your traditions? How do you keep Jesus the focus of your family’s Christmas? We’d love to hear from you.

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