Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Christmas”
Today, we are honored to have with us author Kathy Ide for a little Q & A. She has two new books out (21 Days of Grace & 21 Days of Christmas) that are inspiring, encouraging and full of grace. And from one momma to another, I know we can all use some grace for this journey! Both of Kathy’s new books can be used as a devotion, and both can be used in a group setting or you can read it on your own. They are both fiction but packed full of truth and, I know you’re going to love them! …
Christmas DAY is over and the kids are home. Family is gathered. Your home may be loaded with toys to entertain your children through the holidays. But, if you find that you’re in a bit of a slump and need a few fun ideas to carry you, the kids, and relatives through the holidays, try the following. 1. CHRISTMAS BINGO Everyone loves bingo and all ages can play. You can make and print your own bingo cards HERE. I bought a necklace from Dollar Tree and cut the coins to use as bingo markers. …
Prophecies went out about One Who would come… “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Is. 7:14 NKJV) And the prophecies were fulfilled… Secreted behind the veil of eternity, the Word existed, and in the fullness of time, God ripped that curtain from the heavenly top to the earthly bottom to fully reveal His Son. “And (Mary) brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the …
“Why do we have to read the Christmas devotional?” my kids chorused in unison. My heart squeezed tight with anger, frustration, and sadness. “Because I want us to remember what Christmas is really about,” I managed with frustration edging my tone. As I read the devotional to my children God gently reminded me – I instruct my children to know the truth, I live my faith out in front of them, but my kids must make their own choices, develop their own relationship with God. What then is it that draws our hearts closer to God’s? Romans 2:4 tells us …
Christmas is next week. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the things we have going on during the holiday season: Parties Family get-togethers Gifts Cookies and other goodies Local holiday events Church or school programs All of these things are wonderful, but if we’re not careful, we can easily get so wrapped up in these that we let the most important thing slip by. And what is that most important thing? It’s seeking after Jesus and teaching our children to do the same. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things …
What if: You found out that by staying at home and raising your children, yet accomplishing nothing that can be seen or noted at the time, you found out that the job you did really mattered? What if: By working your job day by day and finding it toilsome, you found out that your simple presence and hard work had greatly impacted another individual? What if: by taking time to patiently listen to the ramblings of an older person, you found that because of that person you became a better person and even used some of the “ramblings” to springboard …
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which …
“We’re almost home!” my daughter texted me, letting me know she was on her way back from her friend’s house. We were visiting California for Thanksgiving and my husband Mike had just gone to pick her up. When I saw her text, I smiled. Because we weren’t actually home; we were staying in a hotel. Our house–as of five months ago when Mike’s job got transferred–was now in Idaho. Spending time in a hotel over the holidays was a new experience for us and we were going from place to place, trying to fit in as many visits with friends …
“Mom, I want that!” My daughter points to the television set. It’s a commercial for squishy sand. Batman Duplos. Scooters, Dora apps, a self-cleaning fish tank. The toys may change day by day, but the response is the same. “Mom, I want that—for Christmas!” It’s natural for a child to crave presents. And I do love giving gifts to my kids. But the gifts I long to give them aren’t just the toy store kind. Above all, I want my children to receive kindness, generosity, mercy and love—and to know how to pay them forward. Those are the true gifts …
And just like that, the holiday season is here! If we’re honest, most of us have expectations for these special days. At the very least, we have hopes. The holidays are a snapshot of mom life. A lot of how the journey unfolds depends on our expectations. Children have expectations too. Can we blame them? We bring mounds of popcorn to the couch for animated movies about snow, talking reindeer and wishes coming true for kids across the spectrum of naughty and nice. We sing songs about the most wonderful time of the year and days that are merry and …
