Celebrate Easter



"Why do you look for the living among the dead?  Jesus is not here!  He has risen!"

Luke 24:5-6

Hi friends!  It has been a couple of months since we've talked, and I pray you are well! 

I don't know what your winter season has been like, but I feel like I have blinked...and poof!  Spring and Easter are right around the corner.  

I so enjoyed sharing in the joy of the birth of our Savior at Christmas through the Jesse Tree that I could not resist in celebrating Easter with you!  The continuation of the story...the reason He came, the most wonderful act in God's plan to rescue us...Jesus' death and resurrection. 

Maybe you have figured it out already...but I love to celebrate!  And what is more worth celebrating than the forgiveness of sin, the hope of eternal life, and a relationship with a loving, unbelievably gracious God? 

The past few years, I have loved finding ways to make Easter meaningful with my kids.

Cellophane cross on front door

Just like Christmas, my husband and I wanted to be intentional about sharing the true meaning of Easter, and continuing God's love story.  We wanted our kids to know the story of the servant King who died for them.  We wanted our kids to know the story of the cross...and the joyous day of the resurrection.  We wanted them to know about the hope of new life in Christ...and grace, grace, grace. 

So...I wanted to share with you our favorite ways to celebrate Jesus at Easter!  I want to hear your ideas too!  It is my prayer that one or some of these ideas may inspire and encourage you to rejoice with us, and celebrate Jesus this Easter with your family.

Our favorite meaningful Easter activities:

• Read the Easter Story.  We love to start a couple of weeks before Easter reading from the Bible starting with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem through His resurrection and ascension into heaven.  We read a little bit every day, and discuss.  Some great story Bibles to read with young children are The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally-Lloyd Jones or The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos. 

Looking for a more day by day breakdown of Bible readings and ideas?  Here are a few of my favorite links to Easter devotionals-- Amanda at ohamanda.com is currently posting some great ideas and you can sign up for Easter emails with tons of great ways to impress your kids hearts!  Ann Voskamp has a beautiful devotional called Trail to the Tree.  Want to do a Resurrection tree?  Check out this great idea at To Show Them Jesus. 



• Make a resurrection garden (See photo at very top).  This is one of our favorite things we've done.  It's so easy, and fun too.  First, we took some rocks and wrote a sin we struggled with on each one.  Then, we just took an empty planter from the dollar store and filled it up with dirt and moss.  We buried our "sin" rocks in the dirt.  We made the tomb out of a potato.  I let the kids add some stones, grass, or small flowers to decorate.  We made the cross out of some sticks.  

Easter morning I added a rock that said Grace in front of the empty tomb to symbolize the sins we had buried were forgiven.  I rolled the stone away and in its place was just cloth (or gauze).  Then, I added some beautiful flowers to the garden!

 

• Have an Easter Egg hunt!  What kid doesn't like to hunt for eggs?  Your egg hunt can be meaningful too.  Instead of candy, why not fill your eggs with things that tell the Easter story?   

Fill eggs with visual symbols of story

Here are some ideas:

Leaves- palm branches

Grapes- Wine at the last supper

Coins- Judas' betrayal

Plastic cross- Jesus' death

White felt- Cloth in empty tomb

Sanitizer wipes- Jesus washing disciples feet (I got these at Chic Fil-A)

Croutons- Bread at last supper

Cotton balls-  Jesus' ascension

Small craft flower- Garden of Gethsemane

Perfume beads- Mary anointing Jesus with perfume

Leather cord- Soldiers whipping Jesus

Goldfish-Jesus sharing fish with Peter after he arose

Nail--Jesus nailed to a tree

It's okay to fill some eggs with candy too!  After my kids have hunted their eggs, we sit down and talk about what is inside the eggs (while eating a few treats of course)!  I usually do this after we have had a chance to read most of the Easter story.

• Make resurrection rolls.  These are yum, and something the kids can do mostly by themselves.  Take a big marshmallow (Jesus), dip it in some butter, roll in cinnamon and sugar (preparing Jesus for burial), and roll him up in the cloth (crescent roll).  Then, stick Jesus in the tomb (the oven), and wait three days (15 minutes give or take)--then take the rolls out.  Jesus (the marshmallow) is gone!  He is risen!  Then eat your yummy snack.  This would be a great Easter morning breakfast too! See recipe here. 

Resurrection rolls

• Resurrection eggs, and Benjamin's Box.  My kids love playing with the Resurrection eggs.  Last year at my kids' Easter parties at school, I wanted to do something with the Resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story.  That's when I discovered the book--Benjamin's Box!  It is the cutest story of a boy who lived in Palestine during the time of Jesus.  He witnesses the events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection, and finds treasures along the way to remember.  It is a great way to unveil the "treasure" inside the Resurrection egg while reading the matching story in Benjamin's Box! 

• Celebrate the Passover together as a family.   I have a friend who has celebrated this meal with her family the past couple of years, and I think she is so brave!  It is hard to sit around the dinner table, manage the meal, manage kids, and have even a brief conversation...much less a Passover Seder meal?  But once you read the beauty and remembrance of God's faithfulness over at A Holy Experience...I think you will want to try.  I would love to try this with my family this year.  It will probably be simplified a bit, but a wonderful tradition to begin with your family...to remember from the beginning that God's plan for His people has been redemption and freedom.

aholyexperience.com

   

• Wash each others feet.  This has always been a special time for me.  After we read the story of the last supper, I have always washed my children's feet.  I know my kids don't quite get it yet about what a big deal  it was for Jesus to wash his disciples feet.  I'm still getting it!  But what a wonderful thing for Jesus to do!  What a wonderful love!   I can't describe it, but it is always a special reminder to me of God's love for me and willingness to bend so low to save me.  And one day, I pray my kids see that too.  For now, they think it's fun to have mom wash their stinky feet! 

Washing each others feet

• Read Easter books, and watch Easter DVD's!            

Here are my top favorite books:  

The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith

Easter in the Garden by Pamela Kennedy

The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs

 My favorite DVD's:

The Story of Jesus for Children (my kids favorite!)

The Legend of the Three Trees

Donut Man Resurrection Celebration (this is old school, but fun!)

The Easter Storykeepers



• Easter church service. Whether it is at church, on the road travelling, or at home...we have loved celebrating Jesus' triumph over the grave on Easter morning!  Why not greet each other with, "He is risen!  Alleluia!  He is risen indeed!"  How about an Easter sunrise service?  Picnic breakfast?!  We still have not been able to make that happen...but we have always made a big deal that Christ arose!   

Celebrating Easter can be fun, and meaningful!  Don't forget that each moment you take to share the story of Easter with your children is planting seeds of truth, and communicating God's faithfulness, keeping of His promises, and shouting God's love for them!  It is my prayer you and your family experience more of Jesus this Easter. 




He died for you!

So what does your family do for Easter?  How do you celebrate?  Please do share!

Thank you!!!

My heart is full.  A year ago, after the Jesse Tree Project was formed, the Lord was impressing my heart to share it.  I wish I could say I faithfully obeyed, and began praying, and following His lead to provide the Jesse Tree for others.

But, no...instead I sat in fear for a good while.  Me, Lord?  I am just a regular girl stumbling through motherhood, trying to figure all of this out.  There are so many other women out there who are doing wonderful, meaningful things with their kids for Christmas.  I mean, I love the Jesse Tree, and I'm so thankful for what You have taught my family through it, but I'm afraid others will not feel that way.  What if it fails?  What if I fail?   

Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Mark 9:23-24

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  I relate to the sick boy's father who questioned Jesus, "Lord, IF YOU CAN do anything for my son, please take pity on us..."  I was responding to God with the same question...Lord, if you can use the Jesse Tree, use me...please take pity on me, and show me.  Help me believe YOU can do anything...because I am scared and I am not feeling adequate for the job.

In His mercy and kindness, He began to show me.  It started as a few people He sent my way.  Friends, and random aquaintances who contacted me and encouraged me to share the Jesse Tree.  "We want to do it this next year!  Are you going to get another group together?  We are so excited about starting this tradition." 



Photo courtesy of Ginger West

"You should start a blog."  Ummm...If you know me well--you know what an impossible and funny aspiration this was!  But again, the Lord provided a dear friend who taught me, and helped me set everything up.  Then others along the way who completely believed in me, and cheered for this ministry...even in my computer abilities. 

Then, came a big obstacle.  The clipart we used for the Jesse Tree, we retrieved from an online artist named Phillip Martin.  He does amazing art work, and provides much of his clipart for free.  To maintain his authenticity, he asks on his website to "not alter or change any of the artwork in any way."  

Somehow we missed that very important information along the way when first creating the book.  Richard, my husband, had created a few clipart images of his own to fill in for the Bible stories that had no image from Phillip Martin.  We were at risk for paying damages for altering his work.  

I emailed Phillip Martin very late one night early October apologizing for abusing his copyright laws.  I sent him a copy of the Jesse Tree, to show him what we had done with his clipart, and told him we were wanting to share the book for free with others.  Richard and I both went to bed that night with a heavy heart.  We could be in trouble, and also we were prepared to hit a roadblock with the Jesse Tree ministry.  If we had to go back and recreate all the artwork, that would take weeks.  We didn't have that kind of time. 

By 6am the next morning, we had an email waiting in our inbox from Phillip Martin.  He completely encouraged us to go ahead with sharing the book, and he would be happy to be associated with it.  You can imagine our joy! 

Time after time, the Lord was so sweet in showing me His hand at work in this...His heart for truth, His redemption story, His desire to bring families together in worship, and His love for us and our children.  He was moving things in place, despite my doubts and dragging feet.

Thank you Lord.  Thank you for letting me be a part of this thing you are doing.  Thank you for helping my unbelief, and showing me you are faithful to your name, and your promise given so long ago to draw each of us closer to you. 

Thank you to each of you for sharing in the Jesse Tree with me.  Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be stretched to the end of myself, and to see what God can do.  Thank you for loving your families, and committing to share His story with them this Christmas.  Thank you for increasing my joy in this ministry to walk along side you, and share in the "day to day" moments with your children.  I am so thankful for each of you. 

As you're packing up, and moving forward with this new year, 

I leave you with this thought...

Christmas traditions and special memories are precious and we wouldn’t want to be without them. But RELAX, take the pressure off doing it all this one month. Celebrate Jesus everyday of the year!

-- Lissie Donosky

Who knows?  You might be hearing from me sooner than you think!  Anyone up for an Easter experience?!!! 

Please share with me any pictures, memories, stories from your experience this year!  I would love to hear it.  And any constructive criticism on how we can make it better.  Any ideas?  Anything you would change?  We know it's not perfect!

Please comment below your thoughts! 

 

 

Here to dwell

Emmanuel...God is with us. 

The first year we did the Jesse Tree with our daughter (our son was little bitty), she went looking around the house on Christmas Day for Jesus.  "Where is he, mama?!! It's his birfday!  Is He still in the stable with the animals?"  I  realized that my daughter thought baby Jesus had not already come, but He was coming THAT day...Christmas Day.  Ooops. 

I went on to tell her that He had already come.  He came a long, long, long time ago--way before Grandma and Grandpa were born. :)  There was a brief look of disappointment on her face, but then she asked, "Are we still going to eat birfday cake?!!" 

 

Yes, it is true Jesus did already come as a baby and man, but I failed to share with her the truth that eventhough His time on earth was over...He is with her now, and always.  

This Christmas has been a hard one for me.  Richard worked most of this month.  It has been a tough time with the kids...I feel like I am more of a referee than a mom most days.  I have not been sleeping well, and just all around been heavy with a feeling of inadequacy...that I don't measure up.  It has been difficult to remember He is with me. 

The Jesse Tree...tracking God's plan from the beginning until the birth of His son has been a lifeline for me.  You see, our God is not random.  He does not leave His children alone to fend for themselves...but God has had a plan since the very beginning to rescue us from sin and sadness...

We see through Abraham a promise of a seed, a rescuer to save us.  God tests Abraham, but in keeping true to His promise He provides an offering in place of Isaac.  The seed continues.  Moses helps show the nations the power of God, and the renown of His name.  The Israelites are given a law to help guide them, but guide them to the need of a future fulfillment of that law. 

God chooses a woman name Ruth to be grafted into the faith after following her mother-in-law, and in turn she carries on the lineage of a Savior.  The seed is preserved.  A woman named Esther becomes Queen at a time to save her people from annihalation.  The promise of One coming is saved. 

Isaiah and the prophets proclaim the promises of God again and again to a broken people, and despite many turning away--God always provided a remnant of believers that waited in hope of the consolation of Israel.  Then more waiting, waiting, waiting...would God fulfill His promise?  Would he bring a Savior from the seed of Abraham He had promised so long ago? 

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  
2 Corinthians 1:20

God's word, through the Jesse Tree stories, have been whispering truth to me all along.  His heart has always been to be in relationship with me, with us.  He is the God who lovingly kept the promise of a Savior.  He is the same God who not only chose to become human and dwell among us, but chose to die in our place. 

We can't read the stories of the Jesse Tree counting down to the birth of Christ, without being drawn to where they lead.  The Cross.  A horrific death.  A sacrifice out of love.  A resurrection leading to our redemption, and eternal life.  The sending of a Counselor, a Helper to dwell in us...to be with us always. 

It is my prayer for you and for me that we live with the hope of our Emmanuel...and may we share that hope with our kids. 

He's here.  He could have left us on our own, but He is with us.  It has been such a joy and privilege to walk this road with each of you celebrating the "keeping of a promise." 

Merry Christmas. 

 

Joy of Every Longing Heart

I'm weary....

Three weeks ago, Richard told me on Thanksgiving night those four little words I didn't want to hear.  "I have to work."  My husband is an architect, and when a project is due...He works a ton.  This was not something I was unfamiliar with, but what followed made my heart take a deep breath...

"I am going to have to work a lot all month of December.  My deadline is right before Christmas.  I'm so sorry.  You are going to have to plan things this month without me.  I don't want to disappoint you and the kids...so just assume I won't be around." 

We have had plenty of practice functioning when Richard's work is heavy.  I know he wants to be with us, and when he is home--he does such a wonderful job of making the time with us count.  But at Christmas time...the thought of Richard working so much was too much for me.  There's the Jesse Tree, picking out our own Christmas tree, decorating, looking at lights, shopping for gifts, the baking, the list goes on and on.  Imagining it without Richard made me not only sad, but overwhelmed.  How would I survive the holidays? 

My first response was to go into hyperdrive.  "I can do this," I told myself.  And the work began.  And the striving began.  Busy, busy, busy.  This worked for me a little while, but quickly discontentment, resentment, and irritability crept in.  From the outside, it might have looked like I was holding it all together...I was doing the Jesse Tree with my kids, I was doing fun meaningful activities with my kids, I was baking, I was homeschooling, I was getting the list checked off...but inside I was a mess. 

Just like with a racecar going full steam ahead, I eventually ran out of gas.  I started yelling at my kids, was quick to respond in anger with Richard, was overtired and not taking care of myself, not to mention distant and far from my source of living water...the Lord.  I was withering...

"Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither...(Psalm 1:3)"

Living a life led by works leads to exhaustion, weariness, and a lack of joy. 

Living a life led by works leads to self righteousness, and independence from God.  It leads to unhappiness, and slavery to the pressures of this world...or in my case, the pressures I put on myself.  It leads to a thirst for more...and Lord, am I thirsty! 

I have been living in Jacki's power, not in God's power.  I have forgotten my first love.  I have been living apart from the only source of joy, and strength.   

Going through the motions doesn’t please you,
    a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
    when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
    don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.  Psalm 51:6-7 MSG

Yes, Lord.  I want to be heart-shattered ready for love.  Today, as I was reading...I was reminded of the familiar verse, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)"

Thank you Lord for your grace.  I am weak.  Thank you for your forgiveness, and that your love does not change at all based on what I do or don't do.  I am choosing to cease the striving.  I choose You.  I'll take resting at Your feet over cooking in the kitchen.  I will trust Your love for me is far greater than any value I may feel from making one more pinterest craft, doing one more activity, or baking one more cookie.   

Will you each forgive me for making this blog, the Jesse Tree "one of the motions?"  Will you forgive me for acting in my own strength and not the Lord's? 

As we enter this week before Christmas, Lord help me to cease striving.  Help me to greet the days with great expectation for you--more of you.  Thank you that you were born to set me free from my fears and sin.  Let me rest in you...You are my strength and consolation, the hope of all the earth, and desire of every nation.  May you be the joy of this longing heart...



I am looking forward to the joy of celebrating Jesus with you and your family this week.  Can you believe we are only a week away from finishing the Jesse Tree?  

Sharing the Gospel with your Kids

I did not become a believer until I was 20 years old.  I had heard for years Bible stories, Bible verses, and attended church--I was one who heard the Word, but did not understand.  Then my sophomore year at college, I was attending an event where the speaker shared the gospel.  God's grace reached the core of my heart, and I understood that I needed a Savior...and I wanted Jesus!

I pray for my kids salvation all the time.  I know I will not be the one to save them.  Only God can.  He has placed me in a privileged position-- to be a vessel, a messenger to my kids communicating His truth, His character, and His love for them.  I love my role.  My desire is to lead my kids to Him in any and every way I can. 

Of course I screw it up sometimes, well, a lot of the time.  I sin, and I treat my kids in ways that do not reflect truth of the One who made them and loves them.  But, I am so thankful that their salvation is not dependent upon me, but on a perfect example--Jesus Christ.  By His grace, He uses me, we, to share the gospel with our children. 

Focus on the Family just recently came out with a great article on sharing the gospel with your kids.  The article said, "Many parents and teachers attempt to impart faith primarily through the transfer of Bible facts. Those seeds will not likely take root unless kids truly understand the meaning of the facts."  This was my story.  I knew Bible facts, and in fact, used to pride myself on my own knowledge.  That was the problem.  I had facts, but no understanding.  I had no relationship with God.  Because of my experience growing up, it became so important to me that my kids not only hear the Word, but that they experience and understand it.

The article goes on to encourage us to "concentrate our time on helping kids really understand God's Word, its relevance today, and how you apply it."  For a few weeks now, I have been praying and impressed to write a post about sharing the gospel with young kids.  As parents, we want to redeem the time we have with our kids.  Christmas is a great time to be intentional with sharing the gospel. 

In doing the Jesse Tree, there are many opportunities to bridge the gospel--and create understanding with your kids.  I wanted to share with you some ways to incorporate the gospel into your devotional time. 
It is my prayer that God would use His word, His stories, and His promise of a Savior and Christ's fulfillment to capture your kid's hearts.  And they would understand the gospel, be rescued, and changed for His glory! 

Sharing the Gospel:  Creating Understanding

I sin, and miss the mark. 


Trying to get a bullseye every time (to be perfect)

Everyone has sinned.  No one measures up to God's glory.  Romans 3:23 NIRV

In telling the story of Adam and Eve's sin, I realized my kids did not really understand what sin meant.  In college, our college pastor shared an illustration for sin.  In archery, when an arrow misses the bullseye, it is called sin.  It means to "miss the mark."  I drew a target, and had my kids throw sock balls.  I told them they had to hit the middle every time.  At first they thought it was fun, but quickly it turned to frustration, and defeat. 

Then we talked about how God is holy, and perfect.  He is like the bullseye of the target.  To be close to God, we must meet His standards of perfection too.  But we sin.  Just like the many failed attempts to be perfect on the target, we fail in our words, our thoughts, and our actions to be perfect like God.  We don't measure up.  We miss the mark.  We are not good enough even in our very best attempts.  We need help. 

Our sin separates us from God.

When you sin, the pay you get is death.  Romans 6:23a NIRV

This can be a tough concept for young kids...but they often understand and grasp a lot more than we give them credit for!  You are creating experiences that are stepping stones to their further understanding down the line. 

The payment you get for "missing the mark" is separation from God (death).  I explained this to my kids by setting up a mock courtroom. 


Our gavel in our courtroom

 When I called to order the court, we pretended that each of them got in trouble for something.  They chose what they had done to get in trouble (they had plenty of ideas!).  Then, I gave them their sentence (consequence).  I reminded them of the story Abraham and Isaac...the act of a sacrifice to please God.  God demands a sacrifice (to give something up) to be forgiven, to please Him.  Then, you can be close to Him again. 

That's when the hard part came.  I told them that they had to give up something.  (Even young kids, my kids, understood this.)  My daughter even offered to give me her favorite toy...my son his favorite car.  No, I said...You have to give me your life.  As you can imagine, this did not go over well. 

We finished up our mock courtroom with this--I said...(God speaking) "I love you both so much, that I will have my son, my only son, give up His life in your place.  He will be the sacrifice for the wrong things you did."  You will be set free, and forgiven.   

Jesus is our ladder to God.   


From Jacob's ladder

The good news is that God knows we cannot save ourselves.  We cannot be good enough.  He made a way for us to be close to God. 

But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 NIRV

But God gives you the gift of eternal life because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.  Romans 6:23b NIRV

Christ died for sins once and for all time. The One who did what is right died for those who don’t do right. He died to bring you to God.  1 Peter 3:18 NIRV

In reading the story of Jacob's ladder, I shared with my kids how Jesus is the only way we can get close to God.  He is our ladder to heaven.  He was God's son who came to earth to live as a human just like you and me.  He died for us, and rose again three days later.  He won the battle over death! 

Jesus died in our place so we can be forgiven.  Now, we can be close to God and live with Him in heaven.  We can be friends with Him, and know Him well.  Jesus provides us a way, a ladder to God.   

Eternal life is a gift!



Andrew receiving the gift


God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift.  It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it.  Ephesians 2:8-9 NIRV

I tell my kids that baby Jesus coming to earth is God's greatest gift to us.  God sent Jesus to provide a way for us to have eternal life..to be rescued from our sin. 

God gives us this gift for FREE.  We don't deserve it, we didn't earn it...it is free.  I wrapped up a present and asked them, "What do you have to do to receive this present?"  Take it!  They both cried!

That's right.  I didn't make you do anything to receive it.  I love you, and wanted to share it with you.  God's forgiveness is like that.  We can do nothing to earn it or deserve it.  It is His free gift to us because of what Jesus did for you and me. 

We receive it by faith.


Eleanor trusting the chair to catch her

I tell my kids that faith is to have complete trust or confidence in something.  I had them stand by a chair, and asked..."Do you think this chair will catch you?  Do you have faith it will hold you up?"  Yes Mommy!  Then they sat down. 

Faith in Christ is to have complete trust and confidence that He died to forgive you of your sins, and rose from the dead, and that you will live with him forever in heaven. 
If you believe in Jesus, that He died for your sins and rose again, then you can know you are saved!  

Because you believed the good news, you are saved.  1 Corinthians 15:2 NIRV
I encourage my kids to tell Richard or I when they want to receive God's gift of eternal life.  In the meantime, we pray, pray, pray!!!  We trust God will do the work in their hearts in His perfect timing. 

I end with this...I am praying that each of you has opportunties to share the gospel with your kids.  I'm praying they will be rescued, and accept God's gift of grace.  I just shared some ideas in how to bridge the gospel with your kids, but in no way a method that MUST be followed. 

Just as Paul admitted to the Corinthians, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)." 

I am praying that God works through you not according to human wisdom, but by His power.  And for His glory, may He draw each of our children closer to Him!

What are your ways of bridging the gospel with your children?  What experiences have helped create understanding with your kids?

Favorite Christmas Books

Anyone who knows me well enough--knows how much I love books.   In fact, if I need some time to myself...a lot of times I will go to our local library and look at books.  Tons of books.  So, it is only natural that I share with you my Christmas favorites! 

Books are an easy, and cheap way to focus on the true meaning of the season.  And children love, love being read to...so it's a win win!  So, snuggle up with your best buddy, and pull out a book that helps "create an appetite" for the things of Him. 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski.
I love this sweet story!  It makes me cry every time.  A MUST READ!!

Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson.

My sister-in-law gave this to me when we had our first baby.  It has become our family's favorite.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.

A cute story about how one Christmas tree is shared with many.

The Secret of St. Nicholas by Ellen Nibali.

We do Santa with our kids.  We always read books about St. Nicholas, and teach about the character of the man...his gracious giving. 

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo.

A great story about a little girl who cares for the needs of others. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.

Do I need to even give an explanation for this one?!!  It's just such a classic!

Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown.

I love the pictures in this book!  I know there is a newer version with a different illustrator, but this is my favorite version. 

The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats.
My kids love to sing this song, and look through the book.

Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell.

This is such a sweet beginner book for little ones (no pun intended).

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson.

I love Bear!  My son loves him too.  This is a good story about friendship and giving to others.

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg.

Love to read this story while eating a candy cane!

The Christmas Story by Jane Werner.

A good telling of the Biblical account of the Christmas story. 

Each of the books I shared with you-- I have read with my kids, and they have loved them.  I have a whole list of books that I would love to read as well...but I wanted to give you ones that have been tested, and found to be loved.  I encourage you to head to the library, and create some memories with a good book!

*How bout this cute idea?!!  My good friend wraps up a big basket of Christmas books, and let's her daughter pick out one each night to unwrap leading up to Christmas!  So cute!



Photo courtesy of Ashley Goode



 

I would love to hear your favorite.  Please share yours below! 

10 Meaningful Christmas Activities

Along with the Jesse Tree, we love to do activities over the holidays that shout "Jesus!"  There are so many voices out there, and we want His name to be the loudest.  So, I wanted to share with you some of our favorite things to do throughout December.  We would love for you to join us.

10 Meaningful Christmas Activities: 

1.)  Operation Christmas Child-- The national collection for this is in November, but in the past I have missed it, so we have built our box in December. 

2.)  Watch Live Nativity--This is by far my favorite.  Grace Bible Church in Dallas does a live nativity every year, and it is wonderful.  You  travel as a family from room to room to see the Christmas story live!  Afterwards, there is cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and a petting zoo--with camels!  So fun, and all FREE...and so meaningful.  If in the Dallas area, check out http://gracebiblechurch.org/ or find a live nativity near you.

3.)  Arboreteum-- If you live in the Dallas area, this is a beautiful place to go at Christmas time.  It is decorated so beautifully, and there is hardly anyone there!  I guess people think it's too cold!  Well, the DeGoyler House always showcases Christmas collections.  This year they are showcasing nativity sets!  (Which I am a collector myself!)  Some of you may be thinking--I have kids with busy hands--I can't take them into a house with a bunch of breakable things!  I'm there with you!  That's why we "move with a purpose" through the house, but they always love it.  They ask every year if we are going back. 

4.)  Attend a Christmas children's church program.  Our church does a little Christmas paegant each year, and it is so fun for the kids to see children tell the Christmas story.  Not to mention...it is hilarious to watch too! 

5.)  Go caroling!  Some say it is a dying act, but the past two years our family has joined with a few friends and gone caroling in our neighborhood.  It is a great way to share Christ at Christmas.  We usually hand out candy canes with a scripture verse attached.  I cannot tell you how much the kids love this.  This year, we are hoping to make it to a nursing home or International neighborhood.  (Yes, we  have little kiddos...even babies.  We just bundle up, and go for about an hour.  Then come back to the house and have hot chocolate and s'mores.  It's a hit with the kids.) 

6.)  Buy Christmas gifts from World Vision Catalog.  Last year, we did this as teacher gifts.  We made the donations in the teacher's name.  World Vision even lets you print out Christmas cards to give to others to share with them you donated in their name.  We just attached a card to some homemade cookies, and voila!  A gift that blesses many. 

7.)  We clean out the toy bins!  I grab a big box, and encourage the kids to fill it full.  Then, we take the box and donate it to someone in need.  In the past, we have taken the toys to an international apartment complex in Dallas to share with the refugees living there.  There are so many places you can donate!

8.)  Last year, we began a new Christmas morning tradition.  I took pictures of the things we did as a family to bless Jesus.  Activities we did or service opportunties that were a gift to His people, and to Him.  I printed out the pictures small enough to fit in little boxes, added a small bow, and let the kids place them near the nativity Christmas morning.  They were gifts for Jesus.  They helped Jesus open them, and remembered all the fun we had serving Jesus.

9.)  Have your children tell you the Christmas story in their own words, and then draw a picture.  We started this last year.  While my daughter and son told the story in their own words, we wrote it down.  Then, we encouraged them to draw a picture.  If you have young ones that can't draw a picture, print out a nativity coloring sheet.  We are saving these stories to put in a book to pull out each Christmas.


The picture is of the wise men

10.)  Throw a Birthday party for Jesus!  I don't know one child who does not love cake and a party.  Every Christmas morning, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, and eat cake.  I have a friend who hides a plastic baby in her birthday cake on Christmas morning (like a King cake), and whoever gets the baby in their piece...gets to give the first gift! 


I would love to hear what you all do.  Please share below.
What are some of the meaningful ways you and your family celebrate Christmas? 
It's not too late to start the Jesse Tree!  Still looking for an activity to do with the kids to make Christmas meaningful?  Click here for the FREE devotional and ornaments.