The ADVENTure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in our Holiday Traditions - A Mom's Guide
by Lisa Whelchel
Illustrations by Jeannie Mooney
Published by Multnomah Gifts, a division of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
I recently interlibrary loaned a book I've heard about to help me think of some ideas for Christmas. I've heard about The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel on Focus on the Family and FamilyLife Today so I thought it could help me. I really like the ideas in this book. The whole idea of the book is that we shouldn't feel bad about getting excited about Christmas and all the things that Christmas brings. We should embrace Christmas and all the traditions because there is meaning behind all the things we do. Lisa Whelchel, who is also the author of Creative Corrections, does a good job giving a brief description of the history and Christian meaning of all the traditions so we in turn can explain to our children why we do what we do. Activities and questions are also given to do with our children so we can enjoy the traditions and focus on Christ during this special time of the year. I really enjoy Christmas so it's good to find a book that isn't about alternatives or complaining about how secular Christmas has become. This book takes what we already do and love and puts Christ in the center of it.
I think a quote from the book best sums it up:"Now it is my desire to lure parents into the hustle and bustle of Christmas and then set them free to join their children in the celebration - guilt-free. On each day of the traditional Advent, the twenty-four days preceding Christmas, we will explore together a different aspect of the Christmas celebration. It's amazing how short a distance you have to go to find Jesus in our present-day symbols and traditions. We will encounter the true meaning of Christmas in such unlikely places as a candy cane, a fruitcake, and the partridge in a pear tree. We will rediscover the significance of Santa Claus, tree ornaments, and even the colors of Christmas."So go find the book and have fun celebrating with your family this Christmas. I know I will be making the birthday cake for Jesus that the author describes in the book. It has lots of symbolism which I love!
Merry Christmas!
Sara Trott
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Placemat Discussions
I found these rather tacky placemats at Ross and I LOVE THEM. It isn't that they match my kitchen decor particularly well, and it isn't because they go with any other Christmas decorations in the kitchen. I love them because they prompt wonderful conversation with little kiddos. In addition to wonderful conversation, they make for great quizzing material. While we are waiting for all the food to get to the table or having snack we talk about things like1. What was Jesus' mom's name again?
2. What kinds of gifts do you think the wise men brought to Jesus? Do you think that is why we give gifts at Christmas time?
3. Do you think Mary was comfy-cozy in a stable?
You get the idea. We talk about the story of Jesus' birth (Christmas) multiple times each day because as he snacks on animal crackers we are talking about what we see on the placemat. I think I'm going to make this a tradition around here....possibly all year long. I could even make my own placemats in an effort to direct table conversation among my kiddos. Hmmm...Just food for thought! Blessings
November Give-aways!
Gina is always so sweet to snag a few photos of our give-aways before they go home with our amazing MOPS moms! Too cute, don't you think? We focused on scrapbooking, photos and other things of that sorts all centered around Planet Family...
November Business Sponsors!
Thank you to P.a.M. Photography for donating a FREE family portrait session! What an amazing blessing to have the opportunity to capture the precious moments in time that only a professional photo shoot can do.
Check P.a.M. Photography out on facebook or find find her on the web at http://pamphotographyandmore.webs.com/
Check P.a.M. Photography out on facebook or find find her on the web at http://pamphotographyandmore.webs.com/
November Meeting!
We were thrilled that so many ladies made it to the November meeting where we discussed life on Planet Family. I trust that your Thanksgiving was a wonderful time to be with family and friends while giving thanks to God for His amazing blessings. We really do have so much to be grateful for.
Just a couple of Recaps:
1. We made $178.88 at the Homespun Christmas bazaar. Way to go ladies!
2. A huge thanks to those of you who put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. What a blessing it will be to the children who receive the gifts this holiday season.
3. Don't forget about the first Friday play-date this Friday, Dec. 4th from 9-11 at the Silverton Friends Church!
4. Friday Dec. 4th is the Silverton Christmas tree lighting.
5. Saturday Dec. 5th is the Canyonview Nativity
Those of you who weren't able to be at the November meeting really missed out. Our very own mentor moms shared from their heart about their journeys in motherhood. They answered these questions (plus a few extra tidbits)!
1. What are your fondest traditions, either started or carried on by your own family?
2. What is the most beneficial thing your parent's taught you? What do you hope your kiddos have learned from you?
3. Discuss how your relationships with your kids and/or parents evolved from parent-child to adult-adult.
4. What expectations did you have for your children? How were you flexible if the expectations weren't met or changed?
Discussion Questions:
1. How has transition to motherhood affected your relationships with your parents?
2. What values or traditions have you adopted from your in-law relationships?
3. What are your expectations for the relationship between your child/children and extended family? How do you communicate these expectations?
Lastly, I hope that you all found time to work on your 'I Give Thanks' books with your kiddos and also spent some time completing your leaf project. We would love to post some pictures of what you all did with the leaves. Lesley did an awesome job making a thankful tree and I heard of someone else who chose to hang the leaves from their dining room chandelier.
Blessings Ladies!
Just a couple of Recaps:
1. We made $178.88 at the Homespun Christmas bazaar. Way to go ladies!
2. A huge thanks to those of you who put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. What a blessing it will be to the children who receive the gifts this holiday season.
3. Don't forget about the first Friday play-date this Friday, Dec. 4th from 9-11 at the Silverton Friends Church!
4. Friday Dec. 4th is the Silverton Christmas tree lighting.
5. Saturday Dec. 5th is the Canyonview Nativity
Those of you who weren't able to be at the November meeting really missed out. Our very own mentor moms shared from their heart about their journeys in motherhood. They answered these questions (plus a few extra tidbits)!
1. What are your fondest traditions, either started or carried on by your own family?
2. What is the most beneficial thing your parent's taught you? What do you hope your kiddos have learned from you?
3. Discuss how your relationships with your kids and/or parents evolved from parent-child to adult-adult.
4. What expectations did you have for your children? How were you flexible if the expectations weren't met or changed?
Discussion Questions:
1. How has transition to motherhood affected your relationships with your parents?
2. What values or traditions have you adopted from your in-law relationships?
3. What are your expectations for the relationship between your child/children and extended family? How do you communicate these expectations?
Lastly, I hope that you all found time to work on your 'I Give Thanks' books with your kiddos and also spent some time completing your leaf project. We would love to post some pictures of what you all did with the leaves. Lesley did an awesome job making a thankful tree and I heard of someone else who chose to hang the leaves from their dining room chandelier.
Blessings Ladies!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Homespun Bazaar!
Thank you to those of you who participated in the fundraiser this past weekend. The bazaar was a huge success because so many moms chose to participate by donating their 'homespun gifts'. A giant thank you to those who made crafts, volunteered to set-up or even work at the bazaar on Friday and Saturday. What a blessing! The fundraiser was a HUGE success...
Boring Breakfast Blues--A Cure!
We pretty much rotate through pancakes, waffles, french toast, and eggs for breakfast around this joint, but for some reason 'egg-in-the-hole' is hands-down the favorite. These pictures are of 'egg-in-the-star' and sometimes we make 'egg-in-the-guy', egg-in-the-flower or 'egg-in-the-heart'. I just lightly butter both sides of the bread, cut out a shape with a cookie cutter, and put it in the frying pan. I quickly add an egg, fry on both sides and voila....Egg-in-the-STAR!
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