Christmas....keeping it in PERSPECTIVE

Many of you have asked about how we will handle Christmas with the kiddos. For sure we are taking some traditions we were raised with (and leaving others). Here is a WONDERFUL post from our preschool ministry. I LOVE the idea of giving the kiddos three gifts (especially since Christ got three gifts from the Wise Men). We are working hard to establish Christmas traditions that place the emphasis on Christ and not on how many toys the kids will get. We also are not doing Santa in the traditional sense.....they will learn about the true story of Saint Nick when they are old enough. For now they will enjoy a stocking full of little goodies (just like the rest of the kiddos in America :) It's a delicate balance that we are trying to find....know it's not the "norm" but its something that Josh and I are both very sure of! Once the kids are old enough (Mary being around 4) we will also spend a portion of our Thanksgiving and Christmas days serving in a homeless shelter serving meals and enjoying fellowship with the people. The thought of serving together on such important "family" days warms my heart. The Holiday Season will be filled with giving and serving those in need as a family and I can't wait until Stephanie and Mary are able to be involved with us!

We also plan to do a Hanukkah study with the kids when they are older and celebrate many of the Jewish traditions.....we want them to understand the history and culture behind Jewish traditions because that is the culture and traditions of Christ (and I am amazed how it all fits together and helps the Bible make SOOO much more sense the more I learn about it!!)

Here's the story from the church preschool blog.....enjoy and pass it along!